Chile Marinated Pork In The Style Of Oaxaca Cecina Adobada Food

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.

CHILE-MARINATED PORK IN THE STYLE OF OAXACA / CECINA ADOBADA

Steps:

• 1. If using the chiles, tear them open and remove the veins and seeds. Soak the chiles in the vinegar for 30 minutes, or until soft.2. Combine the chiles (or chile powder), vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, cinnamon, and cloves in a blender and process to a smooth, wet paste.3. Cut the pork loin into 4 broad, thin (1/4 inch thick) sheets. Spread each piece of pork with the adobo mixture and stack in a nonreactive baking dish. Cover and let marinate, in the refrigerator, for 4 to 6 hours.4. Preheat the grill to high.5. When ready to grill, oil the grill grate. Arrange the slices on the hot grate and grill, turning with tongs, until nicely browned and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side.6. Serve immediately, accompanied by the tortillas, the guacamole, and salsa, wrapping the pork and condiments in the tortillas.Serves 4

PORK ADOBADA CHILE - MARINATED PORK

Steps:

• If using the chiles, tear them open and remove the veins and seeds. Soak the chiles in the vinegar for 30 minutes, or until soft.
• Combine the chiles (or chile powder), vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, cinnamon, and cloves in a blender and process to a smooth, wet paste.
• Cut the pork chops in half without cutting all the way through. Spread each piece of pork with the adobo mixture and stack in a nonreactive baking dish. Cover and let marinate, in the refrigerator, for 4 to 6 hours.
• Preheat the grill to high.
• When ready to grill, oil the grill grate. Arrange the slices on the hot grate and grill, turning with tongs, until nicely browned and cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes per side.
• Serve immediately, accompanied by tortillas, guacamole, and salsa, wrapping the pork and condiments in the tortillas.

CARNE ADOBADA (CHILE-MARINATED STEAK)

Steps:

• Place the dried guajillo chiles in a small bowl and add enough hot water to cover; soak until softened, about 10 minutes. Drain, stem and seed the chiles. Using a blender or a food processor, puree the guajillos, chipotle, onion, garlic, cumin, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. If needed, add another tablespoon of water to help the mixture blend.
• Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt, then sprinkle and pat on the dried oregano to both sides as well. Place in a large bowl, dish or resealable plastic bag, pour the chile marinade over the top and turn to coat both sides. Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate, covered if needed, for up to 12 hours.
• In a small bowl, combine the roasted red peppers and shallots with the remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season to taste with salt, add the cilantro and stir to combine. Set aside.
• In a large heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Scrape any excess marinade off the steak and discard the marinade. Place the steak in the hot oil and cook until seared and deep golden brown on the contact side, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until seared and golden brown on the other side, 4 to 5 minutes for medium-rare. Cook for 1 additional minute on each side for thicker or larger cuts of steak or for medium doneness. You also can grill the steak on a hot charcoal or gas grill, turning once, until seared, about 6 minutes per side for medium-rare.
• Transfer the steak to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice the steak against the grain. Serve topped with the roasted pepper-shallot relish, alongside steamed rice or warm tortillas.

CECINA ENCHILADA (ADOBO MARINATED PORK CUTLETS)

Steps:

• Clean, seed, and dry-roast chiles on a comal or in cast-iron skillet over medium heat until they are fragrant and slightly toasted, being careful not to burn them. Transfer to a small bowl of hot water and soak until softened, 30 minutes.
• On a comal or in a cast-iron skillet over moderate heat, dry-roast the cloves, allspice, cumin, oregano, thyme, and cinnamon, being careful not to burn them.
• In a blender, combine the chiles with the roasted spices. Add the vinegar and roasted garlic, and process until smooth, adding water as needed. Season to taste with salt.
• Marinate the pork cutlets in the chile paste for at least 8 hours.
• Grill the pork cutlets and serve immediately with lime, crema fresca, sliced avocado, salsa, and tortillas.