Territorial Chile Posole Stew

PaulaG's Note:

Posole is lime-treated corn kernels, called "hominy" in many parts of the country. Posole comes in many different forms with the most popular being canned. This recipe calls for dried which is widely used in New Mexico. The dried is more flavorful because as it cooks it will absorb the spicy cooking liquid. In fact, towards the end of the cooking time, posole will "pop" and become fluffy flowers with a rich corn taste and soft chewy texture. The recipe is adapted from Real New Mexico Chile by Sandy Szwarc. If you can't get the dried you can sub a 29 ounce can drained.

• Total Time: 6 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 6 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 lb country-style pork ribs, cut in 1 inch cubes
• salt
• pepper
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 cups rich chicken broth
• 2 cups dried corn kernels (posole)
• 1 cup new mexico chili peppers, roasted, peeled and chopped or 1 cup anaheim chili, chopped, roasted and peeled
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 medium potato, diced
• 2 -3 cups warm water (If using the dried posole) or 2 -3 cups additional chicken stock (If using the dried posole)

Directions:

1. Warm a large heavy skillet over medium high heat; sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper.
2. Add the seasoned meat to warmed skillet and cook stirring frequently until lightly browned.
3. Lower the heat to medium and add the onion and garlic.
4. Sauté until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes.
5. Place the contents of the skillet into the crock-pot and add remaining ingredients.
6. If using canned posole, wait until the last 2 hours to add to the crock-pot.
7. Cover and simmer for 4 to 6 hours (depending on your crock-pot the cooking time may need to be increased), until the posole has popped and is tender.
8. During the last few hours of cooking, it may be necessary to add the warm water or additional chicken stock; the dried posole will absorb the stock as it cooks.
9. Salt the stew to taste, garnish with additional cilantro if desired and serve.

Reviews

[Chef susan from Sandpoint,Idaho]

Wonderful posole I cannot stand hominy, But I love the dried 'posole' kernels followed exactly only change I used pork shoulder great stuff

[Mikekey]

Original review-1/13/2010
Deliciously spicy, and very warming on a cold, dreary January night. I could not find dried posole, so used canned. Along with the fresh New Mexico chili, I added a chopped, dried New Mexico chili (red) for color (and the seeds for heat). Will try to find the dried hominy for next time. Served with low fat lime tortilla chips. Made for Soup is On in the diabetic forum.

Update-1/8/2011
I have made this a few times now, and thanks to Paula for sending me the dried hominy to try. I realized I had never come back here to report that she is right, it IS much better than the canned. Thanks, Paula!

[Cheri 911]

Very , very good. Made just as written. I will add tomatoes next time. Thanks for a great recipe.