Modern Latin Party Food: Chili-Infused Pork & Rum Pineapple

In this modern Latin party food recipe, the chili spice mix is the secret ingredient that makes this dish sing. It adds a lovely color and intense flavor to the pork bites. I also suggest putting extra on the table, so your guests can sprinkle extra on at will.

Pair pork with pineapple, whose flavors have been enhanced by a complex rum and grilling. The decadence of the pineapple adds a sweet, juicy element to the lean pork. Your guests will be popping these in their mouths with joy!

See more recipes and ideas for hosting a fun and hot Latin party at this link.

MAKES ABOUT 50 BITES

MARINATE THE PINEAPPLE

6 oz Kracken rum
2 TB maple syrup
1 pineapple, cored and cut into 1-inch cubes
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Gently heat rum and sugar to incorporate, about 2 min. Let cool. Marinate pineapple chunks in mix in the fridge.

MAKE THE CHILI SPICE MIX

Combines bitter annato seeds, some fiery aspects, and a touch of cinnamon. The flavors blend well with meats and could also work in some sweet dishes as well. To grind the spices, use a coffee grinder devoted to spice grinding, and be done in a jiffy.

Makes about 1/3 cup

1 TB annato seeds, crushed in spice grinder
1 TB pink peppercorns, crushed in spice grinder
1/8 tsp cayenne
1/4 CUP chili powder
1 TB onion salt
1 TB cinnamon
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Use a mortar and pestle if you don’t have a spice grinder. Transfer crushed annato seeds and pink peppercorns to a bowl and mix everything together.

PREPARE PORK

1 LB pork loin
Chili Spice Mix
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Cut loin into 3/4 inch-thick fillets. Rub spice mix all over.

PREHEAT OVEN 350ºF… COOK THE PORK

Heat up a skillet. Sear meat, about 3 min on each side. Move to a baking dish. Cook about 8 min. Let meat rest 5 min.

GRILL PINEAPPLE

1 TB honey
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Baste pineapple chunks with honey. Sear on grill pan turning frequently.

TO ASSEMBLE

cooked pork
cilantro, torn into individual leaves
grilled pineapple pieces
Sweet Hot Sauce (optional)
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Cut pork into 1-inch cubes. Place sprig of cilantro on top of pineapple bit, spear with toothpick, then stick into a piece of pork. Drizzle Sweet Hot Sauce over it.

Put this trio of sauces and spices on your table, so guests can add extra flavor to suit their palate. From the top: Aji Criollo, Chili Spice Mix (recipe above), Sweet Hot Sauce.

See these 3 sauce recipes—and more—for a hot and steamy Latin dance party in 07 A Latin Fiesta