Red Hot Chile Rubbed Pork Skewers Recipes

RED CHILE RUBBED SWEET POTATOES WITH GREEN ONION VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette:
• Blend the vinegar, water, onion, cilantro, honey, salt and pepper, to taste, in a blender until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil and blend until emulsified.
• For the potatoes:
• Whisk together the chili powder, cinnamon, cumin, sugar, salt and pepper, to taste, in a small bowl.
• Heat the grill over medium-high heat.
• Brush the potato slices with oil on both sides and season with the spice rub on one side. Skewer 2 slices of the potatoes onto 2 skewers (so the potatoes lay flat) and place on the grill, rub side down and cook until golden brown and a crust has formed, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the skewers over and continue grilling until the second side is golden brown and the potatoes are just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Remove to a platter and immediately drizzle with green onion vinaigrette, green onions and chopped cilantro.

CILANTRO-CUCUMBER TZATZKI SAUCE FOR RED HOT CHILE-RUBBED PORK SKEWERS

Steps:

• To make the sauce, whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

RED CHILE PORK TAMALES

Steps:

• For the braised pork: Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds black pepper and cook until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth and guajillo, ancho and pasilla chiles and bring to a boil. Cover, turn off the heat and let sit until the chiles have softened, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a blender with the cumin, oregano, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds black pepper and puree until very smooth.
• Pour the sauce back into the Dutch oven, then add the pork and bay leaves. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low to maintain a steady simmer and cook until the pork is very tender and the sauce is brick red, 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, soak the corn husks in a bowl of hot water, using a plate to keep them submerged, until pliable, about 1 hour.
• Discard the bay leaves from the pork, then shred the pork with 2 forks. Stir in the apple cider vinegar; taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper. Set aside to cool slightly.
• For the masa dough: Beat the lard, baking powder, chile powder and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and light in texture, about 2 minutes. (Alternatively, use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.) Reduce the speed to low and add the masa harina. Once just incorporated, slowly add 2 1/2 cups of the chicken broth and mix until combined, 2 to 4 minutes. Test the dough by placing a 1/2-teaspoon dollop in a cup of cold water--it should float. If not, add the remaining 1/2 cup broth and mix until combined, about 2 minutes more. This will ensure that the masa dough is light and fluffy.
• Drain the husks and pat dry. Starting 1/2 inch from the wide end of a husk, spread about 3 tablespoons of the masa dough down the length of the husk, leaving a 1-inch border on the sides. Spoon 2 heaping tablespoons of the pork filling down the center of the dough, then fold in the sides of the husk, wrapping the dough around the filling. Fold up the narrow end of the husk. Repeat with the remaining husks, dough and filling.
• Set a steamer basket in a large pot filled with 1 to 2 inches of water. Arrange the tamales standing open-end up in the steamer. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then cover and steam until the dough is firm, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from the steamer and cool slightly before unwrapping. Serve with lime wedges if desired.

RED CHILE PORK BROCHETTES

Steps:

• Cut pork into 2-by-2-by-3/4-inch pieces. (You should have about 24 pieces.) Mix 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon chile powder. Use mixture to season pork on both sides.
• To skewer, lay meat flat on cutting board. Thread meat onto two skewers spaced equidistant from center; do this first with one skewer, then the other. Put 3 pieces of pork onto each set of skewers, for eight brochettes total.
• Cook the tomato (left whole) over hot coals or under broiler until charred and blackened, about 5 minutes. Cut in quarters but do not remove skin.
• In a blender or food processor, put 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons chile powder, the charred tomato, the garlic, the lime juice, the olive oil and 1 teaspoon cumin. Blend to obtain a smooth sauce and transfer to a bowl.
• Lay brochettes on a tray in 1 layer. Spoon 8 tablespoons chile sauce over pork and spread to cover evenly. (Save remaining sauce.) Leave at room temperature for 1 hour, or refrigerate several hours, then bring to room temperature.
• Grill over medium-hot fire for about 3 minutes per side. Sprinkle with remaining toasted cumin. Serve with reserved sauce.

CILANTRO-CUCUMBER TZATZKI SAUCE FOR RED HOT CHILE-RUBBED PORK SKEWERS

Steps:

• To make the sauce, whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Cover and refrigerate until needed.