Tinga Poblana Food

TINGA POBLANA

Steps:

• Cut pork into 1 inch squares removing most but not all the fat.
• Put in very large skillet and add water just enough to cover add salt, pepper, garlic, onion, bay leaves, oregano and bring to a boil let foam accumulate and remove as much as possible.
• Allow the meat to cook at a medium boil until tender. If the water is not completely reduced separate it for later use.
• When the meat is cooked, fry it in the oil. I usually fry the chorizo and add a little oil to the rendered fat and fry the pork. Once the pork is crisp, I remove it from the skillet and use the same skillet for the sauce that has been blended together first (last 4 ingredients). I deglaze the skillet and then let the sauce reduce for about 1/2 an hour adding the leftover broth.
• Mix the pork and chorizo into the sauce; heat completely and serve.
• May be eaten in tortillas or with rice, beans or potatoes guacamole--just plain avocado goes well too.

MEXICAN PULLED PORK (TINGA PUEBLANA)

Steps:

• Place the potatoes in a large pot of cold water. Add the salt, bring to a boil and cook until tender, 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and set aside.
• Place the pork in a large pot of cold water. Add the onion half, the garlic, and the bay leaves. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently until the pork is cooked through and is no longer pink in the center, about 45 minutes. Remove the pork from the water and set it aside until it is cool enough to handle (discard the cooking liquid). Using your fingers or 2 forks, shred the meat into small pieces and set aside.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, saute crumbled chorizo until completely cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chorizo to a paper towel lined plate. Add the chopped onions to the chorizo skillet and cook until soft, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the shredded pork, the tomatoes, and the chipotle chiles. Cook until the tomatoes break down and release their juices, about 5 minutes. Return the potatoes and cooked chorizo to the pan. Stir in the vinegar, thyme, marjoram and salt, to taste. Continue to cook over medium heat until some of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
• While the pork cooks, heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tortilla and warm for 10 to 15 seconds. Flip the tortilla over and continue to warm until the tortilla is pliable and heated through, another 10 to 20 seconds. Place warm tortillas in a tortilla warmer or on a plate, cover with a kitchen towel, and set aside; repeat with the remaining tortillas (or warm the tortillas in the microwave: stack them on a plate and cover with a damp cloth; microwave for 30 seconds and keep them covered until you're ready to serve).
• Place the pulled pork in a serving bowl or bring to the table in the cooking pot. Arrange the limes, avocado, and cilantro on a platter. Pass warm tortillas so each diner can fill a tortilla with some of the meat and accompaniments. Squeeze lime juice over each serving.

TINGA POBLANA: PORK TENDERLOIN IN A ROASTED TOMATO AND AVOCADO SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium-size pan heat the oil, and saute the onions and chopped garlic, until fragrant. Add the chopped tomatoes, and cook for about 30 minutes at medium heat.
• Mix in the cooked chorizo, cloves, cinnamon, thyme and chipotle chiles, add salt, to taste. Set aside.
• In a blender or food processor blend the avocado, tomatillos, cilantro, water and salt, until you get a smooth puree. Set aside.
• Season the pork tenderloins with salt. In a very hot cast-iron skillet sear the pork for about 4 minutes, turn the pork, and cook on the other side for about 2 minutes or until done. Let rest for about 5 minutes.
• On a dinner plate put the avocado-tomatillo salsa. In the center, mound the tomato-chipotle sauce. Slice the pork on a diagonal, and place on top of the tomato sauce and garnish with a sprig of cilantro.

TINGA POBLANA DE POLLO

Steps:

• Over a medium heat, bring the chicken, salt, pepper and garlic powder, with water to cover, to a simmer for 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat and allow the chicken to cool in the water, until you are able to handle it.
• Remove the skin and coarsely shred the meat; set aside.
• Over a high heat, in a sauté pan, char and blister tomatoes on all sides. Do not use oil.
• Remove from heat and add the chicken stock and chipotles.
• Cool; pour into a blender, puree until smooth; Set aside.
• Put the chorizo and onions in a stockpot, cook over medium heat.
• When the chorizo releases some of its oil, add the diced potatoes; reduce heat to low; cook until the potatoes have browned and slightly tender.
• Add cumin, oregano, pepper, shredded chicken and the pureed tomato mixture; simmer 10 minutes.
• Add salt to taste.
• Serve in deep bowls, top with avocado and cheese, with a side of corn tortillas and Mexican beer.

TINGA POBLANA: MEXICAN FLANK STEAK WITH CHIPOTLE TOSTADAS

Steps:

• Cook the beef in water to cover with the small onion, two of the garlic cloves, and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 45 minutes or until the meat is tender remove it from the broth (reserve some of the broth). Let the meat cool a bit, and shred it with two forks. Set it aside.
• In the same pan, sauté the sliced onion in oil over medium heat until soft; and add chorizo. Puree the tomatoes, remaining two garlic cloves, chipotles, piloncillo (or brown sugar), some of the reserved broth, vinegar, cumin and oregano in the blender. Add this puree to the onions in the pan, and cook for about five minutes, or until a thick sauce forms. Return the shredded beef, and mix well to combine ingredients. Taste for salt. Refrigerate overnight.
• To serve: Spread tostadas with a thin coat of refried beans, top with tinga and garnish with shredded lettuce and cream or grated cheese.* See notes.

TINGA POBLANA -PORK TENDERLOIN IN A ROASTED TOMATO AND AVOCADO

Steps:

• In a medium-size pan heat the oil, and sauté the onions and chopped garlic, until it starts smelling nice.
• Add the chopped tomatoes, and cook for about 30 minutes at medium heat.
• Mix in the cooked chorizo, cloves, cinnamon, thyme and chipotle chilies, add salt, to taste. Set aside.
• In a blender or food processor blend the avocado, tomatillos, cilantro, water and salt, until you get a smooth puree. Set aside.
• Season the pork tenderloins with salt. In a very hot cast-iron skillet sear the pork for about 4 minutes, turn the pork, and cook on the other side for about 2 minutes or until done. Let rest for about 5 minutes.
• On a dinner plate put the avocado-tomatillos salsa. In the center, mound the tomato-chipotle sauce. Slice the pork on a diagonal, and place on top of the tomato sauce and garnish with a sprig of cilantro.