Day Thirty: Pozolé

This Mexican pork stew dates all the way back to the Aztecs. It was and still is made with whole kernel hominy and served for special occasions. It can be made red with ancho or guajillo chili or green with tomatillo salsa verde. 

Ingredients

2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 cup salsa verde
2 pound pork stew meat
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 (7 ounce) can diced green chiles
2 (15 ounce) cans hominy

Garnishes

medium thin-sliced radishes
chopped avocado
plucked fresh cilantro
lime wedges

Prep

Sauté the pork chunks, in a large pot or Dutch oven, turning or stirring to brown all sides. Add garlic, cumin, oregano, and chicken broth and stir. Add the salsa verde and the liquid from the hominy. Bring to boil (stir every minute or so), lowering heat to simmer for 40 minutes. Add the Hominy and continue simmering another 20 minutes. Add water or more chicken broth if necessary to maintain soupy stew consistency. Don't overcook or allow to mush-up. Served garnished with your favorite toppings.

Salsa Verde

Great with chips, on enchiladas, and in soups or stews. Delicioso!

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb tomatillos
1/2 cup chopped white onion
1/2 cup cilantro leaves
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon sugar
2 Jalapeño peppers OR 2 serrano peppers, stemmed, seeded and chopped
Salt to taste

Preparation

1 Remove papery husks from tomatillos and rinse well.

2a Oven Roasting Method: Cut the tomatillos in half and place cut side down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Place under a broiler for about 5-7 minutes to lightly blacken the skin.

2b Pan Roasting Method: Coat the bottom of a skillet with a little vegetable oil. Heat on high heat. Place the tomatillos in the pan and sear on one side, then flip over and brown on the other side. Remove from heat.

3 Place tomatillos, lime juice, onions, cilantro, chili peppers, sugar in a blender or food processor and pulse until all ingredients are finely chopped and mixed. Season to taste with salt. Cool in refrigerator.

Yield: Makes 3 cups.

*Note: Keep the seeds of the peppers for a spicier salsa.

Semi Homemade

After a long day sometimes I want a home cooked meal but I don't want to do much work. Semi homemade I the best thing that ever happened to my little kitchen. At this point in my life I only have to feed myself (no husband or children to worry about), so it is extremely easy to cop out and pick a bag of fast food or order in. Eating smarter and healthier is always on mind; I'd rather feel full after dinner rather than guilty. I actually saw this recipe on a commercial and decided to try it.

Just brown a few thin cut pork chops (bone-in or out), saute a whole white onion, pour on a jar of salsa verde (Goya or Herdez), simmer for 30 minutes, and serve over white rice.

If you have the time try the following recipe for your own salsa:


1 1/2 lb tomatillos
1/2 cup chopped white onion
1/2 cup cilantro leaves
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon sugar
2 Jalapeño peppers OR 2 serrano peppers
Salt to taste

*courtesy of Simply Recipes

You can oven roast, pan roast, boil, or fry the tomatillos. Authentic salsa would then be mixed with mortal and pestle but you can just toss all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and enjoy.