Guajillo Spiced Pork And Potatoes Puerco Y Papas Al Guajillo Recipes

GUAJILLO SPICED PORK AND POTATOES (PUERCO Y PAPAS AL GUAJILLO)

Steps:

• Spread the potatoes over the bottom of a slow cooker and top with the pork.
• Set a medium (8 inch) skillet over medium heat. When it is hot, toast the chili pieces a few at a time, pressing them against the hot surface with a spatula until they are aromatic and lightened in color underneath - about 10 seconds per side. (If you see more than a whiff of smoke, they are burning). Transfer the toasted chilis to a blender jar.
• Add the tomatoes with their juice, garlic, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, a generous 1 ½ tsp salt and 1 ½ cups water. Blend until as smooth as possible. Strain the mixture through a medium mesh strainer directly into the slow cooker, over the meat and potatoes. Stir to mix thoroughly.
• Set the lid in place and slow cook on high for 6 hours.
• Gently stir the stew - the sauce may look slightly broken, but it will come together with gentle stirring. If the sauce seems too thick, stir in a little water. Taste, and add more salt, if needed.
• Serve in bowls, sprinkled with the cilantro and onion. A stack of warm corn tortillas is the perfect accompaniment.
• Variations:.
• Pork and Potatoes al Guajillo as a Soft Taco Filling:.
• Cook the dish as directed above, but cube the potatoes rather than leaving them in larger wedges. Coarsely shred the pork with two forks. Leave the sauce quite thick. Serve with a dozen warm tortillas for everyone to make soft tacos.

SPICY PORK WITH GUAJILLO SALSA (PUERCO ENCHILADO)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, heavy stainless steel saute pan (do not use nonstick) over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes and saute until golden in color, about 5 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a bowl and reserve. Add the pork to the same pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sear the pork until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Return the potatoes to the pan, along with the beef broth and Guajillo Salsa. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cover. Simmer on medium-low heat for at least 15 minutes until the pork is cooked through. Turn off the heat and serve immediately with warm tortillas.
• In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, place 4 cups water, the guajillo chilies, garlic cloves and white onion and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer until the chiles are soft and tender, about 25 minutes. Transfer the boiled vegetables, the tomato and 2 cups of the boiling liquid to a large blender and set aside to cool before blending. Process until smooth. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch of black pepper.
• In a medium, heavy saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Strain the pureed guajillo salsa into the pan. Add the bay leaf and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning, adding additional salt and pepper as desired.
• Reserve for enchiladas and pork.

GUAJILLO-SPIKED PORK-AND-POTATO TACOS

Steps:

• To make the chili sauce, in a dry heavy fry pan over medium heat, toast the chilies a few pieces at a time, pressing them flat against the hot surface with a metal spatula, until they are aromatic, about 10 seconds per side. (If the heat is right, you'll hear a slight crackle when you press them down, but you shouldn't see more than the slightest wisp of smoke; the inside surface of the chili should look noticeably lighter.) Transfer to a bowl and add hot tap water to cover. Place a small plate on the top to keep the chilies submerged and let stand for 20 minutes.
• Using tongs, transfer the chilies to a food processor or blender. Add the water, tomatoes and garlic and process to form a smooth puree. Set aside.
• To make the filling, in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, warm the oil. When the oil is hot, add the pork in a single layer (in batches, if necessary) and cook, turning, until richly browned all over, about 10 minutes. As the pork is browned, transfer it to a plate. When all of the pork is browned, return it to the saucepan.
• Push the chili-tomato puree through a medium-mesh sieve directly into the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until the saucy mixture is as thick as tomato paste, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the water and the 1 teaspoons salt, cover partially and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, for 20 minutes.
• Add the potatoes, cover partially and cook, stirring frequently, until the potatoes and meat are tender but not falling apart and the sauce has thickened to the consistency of canned tomato sauce, 20 to 30 minutes more. If the sauce is too thin, continue cooking, uncovered, until thickened. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt.
• Scoop the hot pork-and-potato mixture into a serving bowl and sprinkle with the cilantro. Serve with the warm tortillas alongside.