New Mexican Spice Rub Food

MEXICAN DRY RUB

Steps:

• Mix oregano, onion powder, seasoned salt, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, chili powder, and cumin together.

NEW MEXICAN SPICE RUB

Steps:

• Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add the cumin and coriander seeds. Toast the seeds and gently roll them around until the seeds begin to give off a rich aroma, about 1 minute. Transfer the roasted seeds to a small plate and allow them to cool.
• Put the seeds into a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder and add the chile powder, onion and garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper, then either pummel them with the mortar and pestle or grind them until they have an even texture.
• Store the rub in a jar, covered tightly, and keep in a cool, dry place for up to 1 month.

NEW MEXICAN RUBBED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH SWEET POTATO TAMALE AND PECAN BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Heat olive oil in a medium saute pan, over high heat. Season pork with salt on both sides. Dredge pork in the spice rub and tap off any excess. Sear the pork on both sides until golden brown. Cook in the oven to medium doneness, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Let pork rest for 5 minutes before slicing into 12 slices. Plate 3 slices per plate. Drizzle with the Bourbon-Ancho Sauce. Place a Sweet Potato Tamale, topped with Pecan Butter next to the slices of pork.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
• Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add the bourbon and cook until completely reduced. Add the remaining ingredients and cook until reduced by half. Strain through a fine mesh strainer, return mixture to the pan, and cook to sauce consistency, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of bourbon and cook for 2 minutes. Season with salt.
• About 2 hours before you plan to form the tamales, clean the husks under running water. Soak them in warm water for 2 hours, or until softened.
• Puree the corn, onion, roasted garlic, and stock in a food processor. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl and cut in the butter and shortening. Using your fingers, mix in the cornmeal, honey, and salt and pepper until there are no visible lumps of fat. Fold in the sweet potato puree, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and maple syrup. The mixture will be a lot looser than you think it should be, but when the tamales are steamed it will dry out.
• Remove the cornhusks from the water and set aside the best 20 husks. Drain and pat dry. Tear the remaining husks into 1-inch wide strips to be used for tying. Lay 2 husks flat on a work surface, with the tapered ends facing out and the broad bases overlapping by about 3 inches. Place about 1/3 cup of masa mixture in the center. Bring the long sides up over the masa, slightly overlapping, and pat down to close. (If the masa drips out a little at the seam, that is no problem.) Tie each end of the bundle with a strip of cornhusk, pushing the filling toward the middle as you tie. Trim the ends to about 1/2-inch beyond the tie.
• Arrange the tamales in a single layer on a steaming rack, cover tightly with foil, and steam over boiling water for 45 minutes. To Serve: slice a slit on top of each tamale and push both ends of the tamale toward the middle to expose the masa. Top each with 1 tablespoon of Pecan Butter.
• Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Scrape into a ramekin and refrigerate until solid, about 2 hours.

NEW MEXICO RUBBED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH BOURBON ANCHO SAUCE

Steps:

• For Rub: Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat olive oil in a medium saute pan, over high heat.
• Season pork with salt on both sides.
• Rub the pork evenly (and generously!) with the spice rub.
• Sear the pork on both sides until golden brown.
• Cook in the oven to medium doneness, about 10 minutes.
• For Sauce: Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add the onions and cook until soft.
• Add the bourbon and cook until completely reduced.
• Add the remaining ingredients and cook until reduced by half.
• Strain through a fine mesh strainer, return mixture to the pan, and cook to sauce consistency.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of bourbon and cook for 2 minutes.
• Season with salt.

MOLE SPICE RUB

Steps:

• Whisk together the chile powders, salt, cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, chile de arbol, allspice, cloves and black pepper in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container or small jars with tight-fitting lids for up to 6 months or use in the Mole-Rubbed Braised Chicken Thigh Tacos.
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Rub both sides of each thigh with some of the mole spice rub.
• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven large enough to fit the chicken thighs in a single layer. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a plate. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the pan.
• Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 4 minutes. Add the broth and cilantro; bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the pot, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the chicken is tender, about 40 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and let cool slightly then shred with a fork; discard the bones.
• Meanwhile, continue to cook the braising liquid uncovered until reduced by half and thickened, about 15 minutes. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
• While the braising liquid is reducing, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and warm in the oven.
• Heat a small cast-iron pan over medium heat until heated. Remove a warm tortilla from the foil and cook in the dry pan until slightly charred on both sides. Fill with the chicken, top with guacamole, pickled onions and/or shredded cabbage.