Green Chile Pork Tamale Filling

Julesong's Note:

I wanted green chile pork tamales and couldn't find a recipe, so I made up my own. This filling is mild and delicious! (Time does not include making it into tamales.)

• Total Time: 32 mins
• Prep Time: 7 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 4-6

Yield: 12.0 tamales ...

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups diced yellow sweet onions
• 8 garlic cloves , minced
• 12 ounces canned mild green chilies (3 four-oz cans)
• 2 lbs ground lean pork
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh Mexican oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried ancho chile powder
• 2 teaspoons dried ground cumin
• 1 cup crumbled Cotija cheese

Directions:

1. In a large, heavy pot heat the oil (I use my Le Cruset). Saute the onion until just translucent, then add the minced garlic and saute another few minutes until garlic softens.
2. Add the green chiles and saute, stirring occasionally, for about 7 minutes, allowing most of the moisture from the chiles to evaporate.
3. Add the ground pork and stir well to combine. Saute until pork is fully cooked and slightly browned, about 10-14 minutes. Add the ancho powder, cumin, and oregano, stirring to coat the mixture well.
4. Fold in the cotija cheese and combine well. Use as tamale filling and enjoy! Top your tamales with your favorite tamale sauce (I use my Rich and Delicious Enchilada Sauce recipe for tamales, absolutely wonderful stuff).
5. Also works very well as an enchilada filling. Makes about 3-4 cups filling.