South Of The Border Essentials Chorizo Spice Mix Food

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER ESSENTIALS: CHORIZO SPICE MIX

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. The proportions listed are enough to flavor 1 pound of pork, beef, or chicken.
• 3. What is Chorizo? A lot of sausages use the name chorizo, but the most well known (and can be found in well-stocked grocers around the country) are Spanish and Mexican. The Spanish variety uses diced pork and is cured for a long period of time. The Mexican version (the one we are making) uses ground meat and spices and is traditionally ready in about 3 days. This recipe creates awesome chorizo, and can be used right away.
• 4. Uses for Chorizo • Stirred in with scrambled eggs. • Sautéed up with potatoes and spices to make Mexican hash. • Used to make tacos, enchiladas, and queso dip. • Mixed in with a bowl of red beans and rice. • Add some to ground beef and make a Mexican meatloaf. The possibilities are endless... Have some fun with it.
• 5. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 6. Add all of the dry spices together.
• 7. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 pound of ground chicken, pork, or beef.
• 8. Add the ground spices, the baked garlic, and apple-cider vinegar, then mix together. I like to use my hands.
• 9. PLATE/PRESENT
• 10. Use immediately with your favorite Mexican recipes or freeze for later use. This is my version of a Mexican meatloaf. Enjoy.
• 11. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

CHORIZO

Steps:

• Place a large bowl, pusher and assembled meat grinder attachment fitted with a fine grinding plate in the freezer. In another large bowl, toss the pork shoulder, fatback, ancho chile powder, salt, garlic, chipotle powder, oregano, cumin, sugar and cayenne together until all the pork is completely coated with the spice mixture. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the freezer to chill for up to 1 hour (you want the meat very cold but not frozen solid).
• Mix together the vinegar and achiote paste in a small bowl with a fork until smooth and keep it in the refrigerator.
• When ready to grind the meat, fill a large bowl with ice water and then nest the chilled bowl from the freezer into it. Working quickly, grind the pork into the chilled bowl with the machine at medium-high speed. Reserve any remaining spice mixture. After pork is ground, place it in the freezer until very cold, about 20 minutes (at 45 degrees F, the fat begins to melt and can affect the texture of the sausage).
• Remove the ground pork from the freezer and add the chilled achiote mixture and any remaining spice mixture. Using clean hands (wear gloves to prevent staining) or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, knead or mix the pork until a sticky mass forms, about 2 minutes by hand or 1 minute in a stand mixer at medium speed. Wrap the chorizo tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours or up to 3 days before using (flavors will develop as the chorizo rests).
• In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook 1 pound (about a third) of the chorizo, breaking it into small pieces with the side of a wooden spoon. Stir occasionally until cooked through and browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Serve the cooked chorizo on warm corn tortillas with shredded cabbage, pickled red onion, crumbled queso fresco, cilantro leaves and lime wedges. The chorizo can also be formed into patties or frozen for up to 3 months.

CHORIZO SAUSAGE SEASONING MIX

Steps:

• Blend the pork, pork fat, and seasonings together. Refrigerate 1-2 days to allow the spices and meat to infuse together.
• With the cold coarse attachment of the meat grinder work the seasoned pork through the grinder. Send 1/2 of the mixture through the grinder a second time. Mix thoroughly. Stuff the casings using a funnel and tie at desired link size. Prick the sausages so they do not burst while cooking.