Sooz's Green Chile Stew (Mild to Medium)

As fall arrives and the days begin to get shorter, my family starts to crave the wonderful aroma and the taste of this delicious warming stew. Although this dish sparks a lot of controversy (beans or no beans, potatoes or no potatoes, corn or no corn) this is the variation my family loves. I use fresh Hatch New Mexico Big Jim Chiles or Anaheim Chilies and our mouths begin to water as the smell of this fills the house. You can add a can of pinto beans or a can of corn or both when you add the potatoes if you like and it makes this stew really hearty. We like it just with the potatoes. Also, if you want your stew spicier, you can throw in some jalapeno to taste. We then will use the leftovers to smother burritos or to make Huevos Rancheros.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons  oil
• 2  lbs pork, diced
• 1  large onion, finely chopped
• 1  tablespoon garlic, chopped (I use jarred)
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 4  cups  chicken stock
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle beer (or increase chicken stock)
• 1 (14 1/2ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2  large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 6 -8  green chilies, mild to medium roasted (I use Big Jim or Anaheim Chiles, or you can use 2 to 3 of the 7 ounce cans of chopped green chilies)
• 2  teaspoons ground cumin
• 1  teaspoon oregano (Mexican if possible, but I have used regular)
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 1  lime, juice of

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large dutch oven. Brown the pork in the oil.
2. Add the onion and saute until onion is tender. Add garlic and saute until the garlic is golden.
3. Sprinkle the flour over the pork mixture and stir well.
4. Add chicken stock, beer if desired, crushed tomatoes, Green Chile, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper.
5. Simmer for 1 hour or longer for more tender pork an chilies. I usually simmer this for 2-3 hours.
6. Add potatoes and simmer for another 30-45 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
7. Squeeze the lime juice over the stew and stir.
8. If the stew is not thick enough, mix 1/4 cup flour with 1/4 cup water and stir into the stew. Simmer until thickened.
9. Serve with flour tortillas and garnishes such as chopped onion, chopped cilantro, sour cream and additional fresh lime.