Recipes

[LoLa]

Chile Verde
(recipe source: simply recipes)

I know that there are lots of different variations for Chile Verde (stew/soup) depending on taste and region, but this one I came across is just so tasty. I hope that you try it. It's very comforting on a cold winter day.

RECIPE:
1 1/2 pounds of tomatillos
5 garlic cloves, not peeled
2 jalapenos, seeds and ribs removed, chopped
2 Anaheim or Poblano chiles (optional)
1 bunch cilantro leaves, cleaned and chopped
3 1/2 to 4 pound pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1 to 2 inch cubes (you can substitute chicken if you like)
2 yellow onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced
2 tablespoons of chopped fresh oregano or 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
Olive oil, salt and pepper

METHOD:
1 Remove papery husks from tomatillos and rinse well. Cut in half and place cut side down, along with 5 unpeeled garlic cloves, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Place under a broiler for about 5-7 minutes to lightly blacken the skin. Remove from oven, let cool enough to handle.

If you want the additional flavor of chiles other than jalapenos, you can add a couple Anaheim or poblano chiles. Either use canned green chiles or roast fresh chilies over a gas flame or under the broiler until blackened all around. Let cool in a bag, remove the skin, seeds, and stem.

2 Place tomatillos, into blender. Remove the now roasted garlic cloves from their skins, add them to the blender. Add chopped Jalapeño peppers, other chilies (if you are using them), and cilantro to the blender. Pulse until all ingredients are finely chopped and mixed.

3 Season the pork cubes generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium high heat and brown pork chunks well on all sides. Work in batches so that the pork is not crowded in the pan and has a better chance to brown well. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, lift pork out of pan and place in bowl, set aside.

4 Pour off excess fat, anything beyond a tablespoon, and place the onions and minced garlic in the same skillet and cook, stirring occasionally until limp, about 5 minutes. If your skillet is large enough to cook the entire batch of chile verde, with the sauce and meat, then add the pork back to the pan. If not, get a large soup pot and add the onion mixture and the pork to it. Add the oregano to the pan. Add the tomatillo chile verde sauce to the pork and onions. Add the chicken stock (enough to cover the meat). Add a little salt and pepper. (Not too much as the chile verde will continue to cook down and concentrate a bit.)

5 Bring to a boil and reduce to a slight simmer. Cook for 2-3 hours uncovered or until the pork is fork tender. OR you can put everything into a crock pot at this point. It's up to you.

Adjust the seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. I like to squeeze a lime wedge over mine too. Serve with Spanish rice and warmed flour tortillas.

Yield: Serves 8.