Pork Green Chile Stew

DIRECTIONS

• • Dredge pork cubes in Masa Flour in plastic bag until all pieces are coated.
• • Brown in oil in large Dutch oven or pot - set aside.
• • Add butter to same pan, lightly cook onion until slightly colored (not browned) - then add garlic cook 1-2 minutes until aromatic.
• • Add small amount of chicken stock to browned bottom of pot/dutch oven - as stock heats up, scrape browned bits off of the pan to create a roux. After all bits are scraped, add remaining stock to pan.
• • Add remaining ingredients to same pan (except green chiles and added Masa). Bring to slow boil, then cover, reduce to simmer for about 30 minutes -- then add green chiles and cook until pork is tender - a little over an hour is usually good - too long and the meat will toughen. Make sure it NEVER BOILS as it will cook too fast. Sometimes I turn the stove off after about 40 minutes to make sure it cooks slowly.
• • Add salt/pepper to taste.
• • After 45 minutes, check consistency - if it needs to be thicker slowly add a small amount of Masa at a time and stir until thick - shouldn't be more than 2 tablespoons The chiles will breakdown into the roux while cooking. Taste for heat - if you like it spicy, add a couple of diced serrano chiles. Garnish with sour cream and cilantro. Serve with corn bread or homemade tortillas -- and several Tecate's or margaritas!
• Do not add beer like other recipes suggest - it will dilute the chile flavor and can add a bitterness. NEVER used canned chiles as they don't have much flavor. New Mexican chiles (Big Jims) are the best -- you can buy them online already roasted and peeled (www.newmexicanconnection.com) Otherwise use fresh Anaheims or Big Jims and roast on the grill until skins turn brown/black - place in a brown paper bag to steam the skins off. Do not rinse them under water as it removes the flavorful oils. Organic chicken stock is fine, but don't use low sodium.