Achiote paste is a combination of crushed achiote seed, vinegar, salt, garlic and spices which is typically formed into a small block. The paste is then diluted and added to stews or used as a rub for meats. The paste, also know as recado the traditional ingredient used to make Cochinita Pibil a rub for suckling pig and other meats.
Our favorite brand is La Perla. You can find this product at many Hispanic grocery stores OR you can purchase La Perla online at Amazon.com
We have a recipe below for a substitute for achiote paste or we have a alternate achiote paste recipe here.
Del MayaB Brand: Annotto seed, natural color, spices, vinegar, iodized salt, water, granulated garlic, cornmeal, FD&C Red color #40, sodium benzoate as a preservative
Combine all the dry ingredients in a coffee grinder and process until you have a fine powder. Achiote seed is very hard, this may take a couple of minutes.
Combine the ground ingredients in a small bowl with the garlic and lime juice and mix well into a thick paste. Store refrigerated in a tightly sealed jar until you are ready to use it.