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.

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. 

Another Chili

I know what you're thinking, "Another chili?" But its so easy and so hearty; its effortless cooking at its best. Just chop everything and throw it in a pot for an hour. I may need to do one of those 7-, 10-, or 30- days of chili posts; something to think about because I've got a million of them. Anyhow  I don't really have a name for this chili, but it is a white chili and it has southwestern flavors, so I guess I'll go with that for now.

Southwest White Chili

Ingredients

2 cans of cannelli beans
3 cans of great northern beans
2 cans of white beans
2 lbs of ground turkey
1 large can of petite diced tomatoes (drained)
1 box (32 oz) of chicken stock
6-8 tomatillos (diced)
3 small poblanos (diced)
1 medium onion (diced)
2 tbsp of chili powder
2 tsp of cumin
1 tsp of cayenne pepper
2 tsp of pepper
1 tsp of Adobo
1 tsp of paprika (for turkey)
Seasoning salt (for turkey)
Garlic powder (for turkey)
Onion powder (for turkey)

Directions

1. Dice all the veggies before starting to cook
2. Season (to taste) and brown the ground turkey
3. Add in the onions and cook until translucent
4. Pour in the chicken stock and add tomatillos and poblanos
5. Cook for 15-20 minutes
6. Add beans, tomatoes, and remaining seasoning
7. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally
8. Simmer as long as you like, but at least 30 minutes