Friday, April 17, 2015

My riff on pozole

This is a recipe for pozole rojo, or red pork stew. Pozole (Mexico) or posole (outside Mexico) comes in three colors/flavors: rojo or red, verde or green, and blanco or white. Food Network has a brief explainer with some recipes

This is not a super-authentic recipe in the sense that I don't make my own pork broth, I don't spend a ton of time grinding multiple different chiles, etc. If you're very interested in that, here are a couple of recipes that I think are pretty authentic: 
I've simplified it substantially so it's almost all ingredients I keep in my pantry. I also changed the pork cut from pork shoulder to leaner cuts like pork sirloin chops or pork  tenderloin, and I trim them of all visible fat. Thanks, doc! But it comes together much more quickly. As with all stews, good the first day, better the second. 

Ingredients:

1 lb pork sirloin chops or pork tenderloin, diced
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 cup Anaheim or Hatch chiles, roasted, peeled, and diced
1 tbsp chipotle chili powder (can reduce to taste)
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
2 quarts chicken stock
1 25-30 oz can hominy, drained and rinsed
1 8oz can tomato sauce (I use El Pato which is a spicy tomato sauce)
2 or more cups water
2 bay leaves
1/2 head chopped cabbage or cole slaw mix
Lemon juice to taste (I use about 1/4-1/2 lemon per bowl depending on size of lemon)

Directions:
1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in large pot or Dutch oven, Brown pork in pan, 5 min.
2. Add onion and saute 3 min.
3. Add chiles, chili powder, garlic, cumin, oregano, pepper, and salt and sauté 2 min, stirring constantly.
4. Stir in chicken stock, hominy, tomato sauce, water, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 30 minutes, or until pork is tender and cooked through (145 F). Add more water as required to maintain soupy consistency, somewhere between a soup and a stew. 
5. Remove from heat and serve.

To serve, put 1/4-1/2 cup of shredded cabbage in each bowl. Fill with hot pozole, then add lemon juice. Eat as-is or top with tortilla strips, cotija (or feta) cheese, and/or sliced raw radishes. Can also be served over hot cooked rice.

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Valentine's Day Dinner 2015

Grilled porterhouse steaks and vegetables (asparagus, red bell peppers, onions, shallots) in a balsamic reduction with shaved parmesan and a balsamic drizzle.


Sunday, February 1, 2015

Super Bowl 2015 Menu

For the adults: 

Bacon Cheeseburger Dip

Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tot Bombs

Boneless Wings 4 Ways




For the kids:
Mini corn dogs
Lil' Smokies in BBQ sauce

Misc:
Assorted chips & dips

Veg tray

And of course adult beverages. :)