Pork Braised in Guajillo Chile Sauce

Recipe by: Daisy Martinez | from Daisy Cooks: Latin Flavors That Will Rock Your World

Cookstr

Course: Main Course

Total Time: Under 4 Hours

Skill Level: Moderate

Cost: Moderate

Photo by: Joseph De Leo

Most pork is very lean, so I try to find cuts of pork with a little fat in them; they braise better and stay moister that way. You might have better luck finding marbled pork if you buy a whole shoulder or butt and cut it into pieces yourself. (Don’t worry if the pieces come out uneven.) But whether or not you’re cutting the meat yourself, do search for the pieces of “silver skin” and remove them by cutting beneath them with the tip of a sharp knife.

Toasting the chilies brings out their flavor, and blackening the onions and tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness—a little work up front that pays off big-time down the line. Serve hot with some kind of rice, white, yellow, or, best of all, yellow rice with corn.

Yield: Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

4 pounds boneless pork shoulder or butt, cut into 2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons fine sea or kosher salt
1 bay leaf
10 guajillo chilies (see Notes)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large Spanish onion, peeled and cut in half through the middle
3 fresh plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise through the core
¼ cup canola oil or lard
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Put the pork in a heavy Dutch oven large enough to fit it comfortably. Pour in enough cold water to cover the meat by 2 inches. Add the salt and bay leaf. Bring the liquid to a boil and simmer for 1 hour. Skim off the foam from the surface as necessary.

2. Meanwhile, remove the stems from the chilies and tap out the seeds. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add half of the chilies and toast them, turning with tongs until they start to change color and crisp up a bit, about 4 minutes. Heat them gently so they don’t burn. Lift them out and place in a bowl. Repeat with the remaining chilies. Pour enough boiling water over the toasted chilies to cover them. Soak until completely softened, about 20 minutes. Drain well.

3. While the chilies are soaking, wipe out the skillet with paper towels. Place the onion and tomatoes, cut sides down, in the skillet. Cook, turning the vegetables as often as necessary, until the tomatoes are blackened on all sides and the onions are blackened on both flat sides.

4. After the pork has been cooking for 1 hour, remove 2 cups of the cooking liquid and pour it into a blender jar. Add the onions and tomatoes, and purée until smooth. Add the chilies and blend until smooth. Remove another 2 cups of the cooking liquid and set aside. Drain the pork, discarding the remaining liquid, and wipe out the pot.

5. Set the pot over medium-low heat and add the canola oil. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes. Pour the chili sauce into the pot slowly. As it comes to a boil, it will thicken. Stir well,especially in the corners, to prevent the sauce from sticking and scorching as it thickens.

6. Add the pork and return the liquid to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook until tender, about 1 hour. While the pork is cooking, there should be enough sauce to keep it moistened. If not, add the reserved pork cooking liquid as needed.

Notes

Guajillo chilies are the dried version of fresh mirasol chilies. They are long, tapered, and wrinkled, have a reddish brown color, and are fairly spicy. They are available in specialty stores or by mail.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Calories 398kcal (20%)

Calcium 22mg (2%)

Vitamin C 5mg (8%)

Vitamin A 18mcg RAE (1%)

Potassium 972mg

Magnesium 59mg

Protein 49g

Sugar 2g

Fiber 1g

Total Carbohydrate 5g