Ancho Pork Chops And Peppers Recipes

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.

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.

ANCHO-GRILLED PORK LOIN CAPPED WITH SMOKY PAPRIKA CREAM, SERVED OVER A ZESTY BLACK-EYED PEA SALAD AND FIRE-ROASTED POBLANO PEPPER

Steps:

• Pork:
• Place the anchos in a large saucepan and cover with water. Place the pan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the peppers for 15 minutes, or until soft to the touch. Drain, run under cold water, and drain again. When cool enough to handle, pull the peppers open and remove all of the seeds. Place the flesh in the bowl of a food processor. Add the honey, garlic, and salt. With the processor running, add the oil in a slow stream. Process until the mixture forms a paste. Set aside. Sprinkle the pork with salt and pepper and set aside. Spray a large saute pan with cooking spray and place over high heat for 1 minute. Place the pork in the hot pan and sear for 1 minute on all sides. Remove from pan and let cool for 10 minutes. When cool, coat the pork liberally with the ancho paste. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Fire up your grill on high and grill the pork until the internal temperature is 120 degrees F, about 7 to 10 minutes per side. Use a instant-read meat thermometer for this - they're virtually foolproof. Remove the pork from the grill and wrap it in foil for 10 minutes.
• Black-Eyed Pea Salad:
• Place the poblanos over an open flame (one of your stove burners will do) and roast them until charred black on all sides. Place them in a paper bag and close it tightly. Set the bag aside until the peppers are cool enough to handle. Next, remove them from the bag and peel the skin off and discard - it'll come off very easily. Rinse peppers under cool water, cut in half, and remove the seeds. Drizzle each half with a little olive oil and set aside.
• If you're more organized than me you can soak the peas overnight. Drain them the next day, place them in a saucepan, cover them with water, and add a little salt to the water. Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and let the peas simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, adding water as needed, until tender. Remove from the heat, drain, and set aside.
• Meanwhile, cut the tomatoes, pepper, and onion into large dice and set in a large mixing bowl. Cut the corn off the cob and add to the bowl. Add the peas, lime vinaigrette, and cilantro, and toss. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Mound the salad onto the center of 4 dinner plates. Place 1/2 a poblano on top of each of the salads. Next, uncover the pork and slice into 1/2-inch slices. Divide among the plates, placing the pork on top of the poblanos. Quickly whisk the sour cream and paprika together and top the pork with a dollop. Serve the rest on the side. Serve immediately.
• Lime Vinaigrette:
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 teaspoon Cilantro Pesto
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Pour the lime juice into the cleaned bowl of the processor. Add the Cilantro Pesto and, with the processor running, add the oil in a slow stream. Process until the vinaigrette emulsifies. Add salt and pepper, to taste, and pulse. Set aside.

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.