Quick CardPozole Rojo
8 servings
Meat and Stock
- 3 lbboneless pork shoulder, cut into large chunks
- 1 lbcountry-style pork ribs, with shoulder bone
- 1pig trotter, about 1 1/2 lb, scrubbed
- cold water, to cover by an inch, to taste
- 1 ½ cupsyellow onion, thinly sliced
- 3 clovesgarlic
- 3whole black peppercorns
- 2 leavesbay leaves
- 2 tbspkosher salt, plus more as needed
Chile Broth and Pozole
- 3dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
- 2dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
- 4 ozyellow onion, about half a medium onion, chopped
- 6 clovesgarlic
- 1 tbspcanola oil
- 7 cupscooked dried hominy, or drained canned hominy
Garnishes
- thinly sliced green cabbage or iceberg lettuce, to taste
- red radishes, thinly sliced, to taste
- white onion, finely chopped, to taste
- dried Mexican oregano, to taste
- lime wedges or halves, to taste
- fresh cilantro, to taste
- firm-ripe avocado, diced, to taste
- crumbled Cotija or queso fresco, to taste
- sour cream, to taste
- tostadas, corn tortillas or tortilla chips, to taste
- Meat and Stock Put the 3 lb boneless pork shoulder, 1 lb country-style pork ribs, with shoulder bone and 1 pig trotter in a large stockpot with cold water, to cover by an inch. Add the 1 ½ cups yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic, 3 whole black peppercorns, 2 leaves bay leaves and 2 tbsp kosher salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat, partly cover and keep at a bare simmer for 2 h 30 min to 3 h.
- Lift out the pork. When cool enough to handle, pull the meat into bite-sized pieces and discard the bones. 15 min to 20 min
- Strain the stock through a fine strainer into a large bowl, discarding the solids. Cool, then refrigerate for at least 6 h or overnight. Lift off the solid fat and discard it or keep it for cooking. 4 °C
- Chile Broth and Pozole Toast the 3 dried guajillo chiles and 2 dried ancho chiles in a large dry skillet over high heat for about 20 s per side.
- Put the chiles in a heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water and leave for about 20 min.
- Drain the chiles, keeping the liquid. Blend them on high with the 4 oz yellow onion and 6 cloves garlic, adding a tablespoon or two of soaking liquid if the blades stall. Press the purée through a fine strainer and discard the skins left behind. 5 min to 10 min
- Heat the 1 tbsp canola oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, add the chile purée, then lower to medium-low and cook for 10 min to 12 min, stirring.
- Stir in the shredded pork, the 7 cups cooked dried hominy, or drained canned hominy and six cups of the skimmed stock. Simmer over medium heat, stirring now and then, for about 15 min. It should be as thick as a hearty stew; loosen with hominy cooking water, more stock or water if needed, and adjust the salt.
- Garnishes Ladle the pozole into wide bowls. Set out the thinly sliced green cabbage or iceberg lettuce, red radishes, thinly sliced, white onion, finely chopped, dried Mexican oregano, lime wedges or halves, fresh cilantro, firm-ripe avocado, diced, crumbled Cotija or queso fresco, sour cream and tostadas, corn tortillas or tortilla chips so everyone can garnish their own bowl generously.
- Safety: Large batch: cool quickly in shallow containers or an ice bath, to below 5 °C within 6 hours, before refrigerating. (USDA FSIS)
- Safety: Whole cuts of pork should reach 63 °C (145 °F) at the centre, then rest 3 minutes. (USDA FSIS)