Xochipillis Ancho Pork Tamales Recipes

PORK TAMALES

Steps:

• Make the filling: Put the pork in a deep saucepan and cover with cold water (about 6 cups). Add 2 teaspoons salt, the onion, thyme, oregano, bay leaves and peppercorns; cover and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the pork is tender, 1 hour, 30 minutes to 2 hours. Transfer the pork to a plate and shred. Strain and reserve the cooking liquid; keep warm.
• Meanwhile, soak the corn husks in a bowl of hot water, using a plate to keep them submerged, until pliable, 1 hour.
• Combine the pork, cumin, 1/3 cup chili powder, the garlic, flour, sugar, vegetable oil and 1 cup of the reserved cooking liquid in a large skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the dough: Mix the masa harina, lard, 2 teaspoons salt, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon chili powder and 2 2/3 cups of the reserved cooking liquid in a bowl until combined.
• Drain the husks and pat dry. Starting 1/2 inch from the wide end, spread about 3 tablespoons of the dough down a husk, leaving a 1-inch border on the sides. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the pork filling down the center of the dough, then fold in the sides of the husk, wrapping the dough around the filling. Fold up the narrow end of the husk. Repeat with the remaining husks, dough and filling.
• Set a steamer basket in a large pot filled with 1 to 2 inches of water. Arrange the tamales standing up in the steamer, folded-side down. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, cover and steam until the dough is firm, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from the steamer and let cool slightly before unwrapping.

TRADITIONAL TAMALES RED CHILI SAUCE FOR PORK OR BEEF (RAR)

Steps:

• 1. Remove stems and seeds from chills, with a paring knife make a slit down the side, and open up the chills remove seeds and stems 2. In a 5-quart saucepot submerge chili pods in the chicken broth or strain reserve from tamale meat liquid. Bring to a simmer over high heat, then shut off the heat, cover the pot, and allow the chills to sit for 1 hour. 3. Strain the the chili pods from soaking liquid mixture, and set aside soaking liquid. 4. Put peppers and 2 1/2 cups of the soaking liquid into a blender or remaining reserve meat liquid. This may be done in batches. 5. Add garlic, onion, cumin and salt, or you can use the garlic and onion from tamale meat, See "Traditional Tamales Pork or Beef (RAR)" 6. Cover and blend until smooth. If sauce gets too thick, add in up to 1 cup of the remaining soaking liquid or meat broth until you reach the desired thickness. Strain the mixture, and set aside. 7. In the 5-quart saucepot, stir flour into melted lard (or vegetable shortening) over heat until browned. 8. Carefully stir in blended strain chili mixture. 9. Simmer uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. If sauce gets too thick, stir in up to 1 cup of the remaining strain soaking liquid or meat broth until you reach the desired thickness. Use this sauce for tamales, see "Traditional Tamales Pork or Beef (RAR)" recipe. 10. Reserve about 1/2 cup of this sauce to color the Masa. See "Traditional Tamales Pork or Beef (RAR)" recipe. 11. Note: When working with chilies, use rubber gloves to protect your skin, and avoid contact with your eyes. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water to remove all of the chili oils.

XOCHIPILLI'S ANCHO PORK TAMALES

Steps:

• Prepare Basic Masa Dough up to three days ahead, and refrigerate in an airtight container.
• Basic Masa Dough: Combine chicken broth and ancho chiles in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH for 2 minutes or until chiles are tender; cool slightly, Combine broth mixture and corn in a blender; process until smooth.
• Lightly spoon masa harina into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine masa harina, salt, and baking powder, stirring well with a whisk. Cut in lard with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add broth mixture to masa mixture; stir until a soft dough forms. Cover and chill until ready to use.
• Tamales: Place corn husks in a large bowl; cover with water. Weight husks down with a can; soak 30 minutes. Drain husks.
• Combine broth, cherries, and ancho chile in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave at HIGH for 2 minutes or until cherries and ancho are tender. Combine broth mixture, onion, and next 5 ingredients (through garlic) in a blender; process until mixture is smooth. Reserve 1/2 cup broth mixture; cover and chill. Place remaining broth mixture in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add pork; seal and marinate in refrigerator 1 hour, turning bag occasionally.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Remove pork from bag, and discard marinade. Place pork on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450F for 30 minutes or until a thermometer registers 155F (slightly pink). Let pork stand 20 minutes; shred pork with 2 forks. Toss shredded pork with reserved 1/2 cup broth mixture.
• Working with one husk at a time, place about 3 tablespoons Basic Masa Dough in the center of husk, about 1/2 inch from top of husk; press dough into a 4-inch-long by 3-inch-wide rectangle. Spoon about 1 heaping tablespoon pork mixture down one side of dough. Using the corn husk as your guide, fold husk over tamale, being sure to cover filling with dough; fold over 1 more time. Fold bottom end of husk under. Place tamale, seam side down, on the rack of a broiler pan lined with a damp towel. Repeat procedure with remaining husks, Basic Masa Dough, and filling. Cover filled tamales with another damp towel. Pour 2 cups hot water in the bottom of a broiler pan; top with prepared rack.
• Steam tamales at 450F for 55 minutes, adding water as necessary to maintain a depth of about 1/2 inch. Let tamales stand 10 minutes. Serve with sauce and lime wedges, if desired.
• Can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in microwave for 2 minutes.

ANCHO CHILE PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Remove stems and seeds from chilies.
• Tear chilies into pieces.
• Spray a skillet with Pam and heat over medium heat.
• Add chili pieces and cook for 15 seconds, stirring so chilies do not burn.
• Add garlic and cook 2 minutes.
• Add broth- allspice to chili/garlic mixture in skillet.
• Stir in 1 tablespoon vinegar.
• Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low.
• Let mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Place (cooled) mixture in blender or food processor and process until smooth using on/off turns.
• Heat skillet over medium-high heat and add chili/spice mixture and cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in sugar, salt, remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar and lemon juice.
• Put pork chops in marinating dish or zip-lock bag.
• Pour chili sauce over chops.
• Refrigerate marinated chops for up to 8 hours.
• Spray broiler rack with Pam or prepare grill (spray grill with Pam for easier clean up) for grilling chops.
• Remove pork chops from dish and prepare grill or preheat broiler.
• Spray broiler rack or grill with Pam.
• If grilling, grill for 5-10 minutes each side, basting with marinade.
• Time depends on degree of doneness desired and thickness of chops.
• If broiling, brush chops well with marinade.
• Broiler rack should be 6-inches below heat.
• Broil for 5-10 minutes per side (brush with marinade when turning chops) depending on degree of doneness and thickness of chops.

ANCHO CHILI SAUCE - RECIPE

Steps:

• Dry roast the ancho peppers on a hot pan about 1-2 minutes per side. The peppers will puff slightly and the skins will begin to turn red.
• Set them into a large pot of boiling water and remove from heat. Let them soak covered in water for 30 minutes.
• Remove the stems and coarsely chop the anchos. Reserve the soaking liquid.
• Set the chopped anchos into a food processor.
• Heat the oil in a pan to medium heat and add the onion. Cook about 5 minutes to soften.
• Add the garlic and tomato and cook another minute or so, until you can smell the garlic. Add them to the food processor.
• Add the vinegar, cumin, oregano and a bit of salt and pepper along with about 1 cup of the soaking liquid. Process until it smooths out.
• The sauce will be thick at this point. You can add more soaking liquid to achieve your desired consistency.
• Give it a taste. You can adjust with salt and pepper and this point, and if you feel it needs a touch of sweetness, add the honey and process a bit more.
• Press the sauce through a coarse strainer into a bowl. I use a wooden spoon to push it through.
• Store in the fridge in an airtight container.
• As a tasty variation, add up to 15 ounces (1 can) of tomato sauce while cooking, or after you strain the ancho chili sauce to simmer. It makes for an outstanding final sauce. Or, swirl in anywhere from 1 tablespoon to a cup of the ancho chili sauce to tomato sauce to liven up any dish.

SLOW GRILLED ANCHO RUBBED PORK

Steps:

• For the spice rub: Toast the ancho chile pieces over low heat in a dry skillet until fragrant, shaking the pan so they don't scorch. Put the chiles in spice grinder and pulse to a powder. Add the remaining ingredients and buzz again to combine. (Reserve some to sprinkle on the corn.)
• For the pork: Rub the spice mix into the pork and set aside for 1 hour while you prepare the grill. (You can marinate the pork longer under refrigeration, just make sure to bring it to room temperature before cooking it.) Light the coals in a barbecue grill with a cover. When the coals are hot, push them to 1 side of the grill. Rub the pork with some olive oil and season it liberally with salt. Put the pork on the grill away from the coals and place a drip pan underneath the meat. Close the cover and cook, maintaining a medium low temperature, for about 4 to 6 hours, or until the meat shreds easily. Turn the meat occasionally and baste with the drippings.
• For the drizzling sauce: Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth; taste and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over the shredded pork.

ANCHO CHILE PORK TENDERLOIN WITH BRUSSELS SPROUTS AND SQUASH

Steps:

• Place racks in top and center of oven; preheat to 425°F. Finely grate 2 tsp. lime zest into a small bowl. Stir in cumin, chile powder, brown sugar, and 2 tsp. salt.
• Toss brussels sprouts, onion, squash, 2 Tbsp. oil, and half of spiced salt on a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer to center rack in oven and roast 10 minutes. Toss and continue to roast until vegetables are browned and cooked through, 10-15 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, rub pork tenderloins with remaining spiced salt and heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear pork on 3 sides until lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side. Turn tenderloins onto remaining side, then transfer skillet to top rack of oven. Roast pork until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 140°F for medium-rare or 145°F for medium, 8-10 minutes (temperature will rise by about 10°F after cooking). Transfer pork to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
• Whisk sour cream, 2 tsp. lime juice, 1/2 cup cilantro, and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt in a small bowl. Spoon some sauce onto plates, then arrange pork over. Top with cilantro leaves, flakey sea salt, and pepper. Serve vegetables and lime wedges alongside.