Ancho Chile Pork Chops Recipes

ANCHO CHILE PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Remove stems and seeds from chilies.
• Tear chilies into pieces.
• Spray a skillet with Pam and heat over medium heat.
• Add chili pieces and cook for 15 seconds, stirring so chilies do not burn.
• Add garlic and cook 2 minutes.
• Add broth- allspice to chili/garlic mixture in skillet.
• Stir in 1 tablespoon vinegar.
• Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low.
• Let mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Place (cooled) mixture in blender or food processor and process until smooth using on/off turns.
• Heat skillet over medium-high heat and add chili/spice mixture and cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in sugar, salt, remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar and lemon juice.
• Put pork chops in marinating dish or zip-lock bag.
• Pour chili sauce over chops.
• Refrigerate marinated chops for up to 8 hours.
• Spray broiler rack with Pam or prepare grill (spray grill with Pam for easier clean up) for grilling chops.
• Remove pork chops from dish and prepare grill or preheat broiler.
• Spray broiler rack or grill with Pam.
• If grilling, grill for 5-10 minutes each side, basting with marinade.
• Time depends on degree of doneness desired and thickness of chops.
• If broiling, brush chops well with marinade.
• Broiler rack should be 6-inches below heat.
• Broil for 5-10 minutes per side (brush with marinade when turning chops) depending on degree of doneness and thickness of chops.

SLOW GRILLED ANCHO RUBBED PORK

Steps:

• For the spice rub: Toast the ancho chile pieces over low heat in a dry skillet until fragrant, shaking the pan so they don't scorch. Put the chiles in spice grinder and pulse to a powder. Add the remaining ingredients and buzz again to combine. (Reserve some to sprinkle on the corn.)
• For the pork: Rub the spice mix into the pork and set aside for 1 hour while you prepare the grill. (You can marinate the pork longer under refrigeration, just make sure to bring it to room temperature before cooking it.) Light the coals in a barbecue grill with a cover. When the coals are hot, push them to 1 side of the grill. Rub the pork with some olive oil and season it liberally with salt. Put the pork on the grill away from the coals and place a drip pan underneath the meat. Close the cover and cook, maintaining a medium low temperature, for about 4 to 6 hours, or until the meat shreds easily. Turn the meat occasionally and baste with the drippings.
• For the drizzling sauce: Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth; taste and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over the shredded pork.

ANCHO PORK CHOPS AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine the ancho powder, cumin, granulated garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Rub the spice mixture onto both sides of the pork chops.
• Over medium-high temperature in a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil, then brown the pork chops, 4 minutes per side or until done (depending on the thickness of the chops); remove meat from pan and set aside, keeping warm.
• Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and the butter to the skillet you cooked the pork in and allow them to melt together, then add the onion, bell peppers, sherry, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and sauté for 4 minutes or until cooked to desired texture.
• Add the minced garlic cloves and sauté 1 additional minute, then remove from heat and stir in the lime juice; season to taste with freshly ground pepper.
• Serve browned pork chops and sautéed peppers together - they go well with rice and beans.

PORK CHOPS WITH CHILES RELLENOS AND ANCHO SAUCE

Steps:

• Char chiles over gas flame or in broiler until blackened all over. Place chiles in bowl; cover tightly with plastic wrap and let steam 15 minutes. Peel, leaving stem intact (do not tear flesh of chiles). Using small sharp knife, cut 1 long slit down side of each chile; carefully remove seeds. Toast cumin seeds in small skillet over medium-high heat until slightly darkened and aromatic, 1 to 2 minutes. Set chiles and cumin aside.
• Line rimless baking sheet with foil. Cook potatoes in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender, about 8 minutes. Drain. Transfer potatoes to medium bowl; cool. Add cheese, chopped oregano, and toasted cumin; stir to distribute evenly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Carefully fill chiles with potato mixture, about 1/3 to 1/2 cup filling for each. Working with 1 chile at a time, hold in palm and squeeze gently to compress lightly. Place stuffed chiles on prepared sheet.
• Combine broth, juice, 2 teaspoons chile powder, and next 4 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until slightly thickened and reduced to 2/3 cup, 8 to 9 minutes. DO AHEAD: Chiles and sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill separately. Let chiles return to room temperature before continuing.
• Mix 3 teaspoons chile powder and 1 tablespoon coarse salt in small bowl. Sprinkle mixture over pork chops; let stand at room temperature up to 2 hours.
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Brush pork with oil. Place pork chops on 1 side of grill. Transfer chiles on foil to opposite side of grill. Grill pork chops until just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side; transfer to plate and let rest 10 minutes. Grill chiles until cheese melts, about 15 minutes.
• Rewarm sauce. Place 1 pork chop and 1 chile on each plate. Drizzle sauce over, sprinkle with oregano leaves, and serve.
• Often called pasillas; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores, farmers' markets, and Latin markets.
• ** Available in the spice section of many supermarkets and at Latin markets.
• *** Available in tubes at some supermarkets and at Italian markets.