Authentic Mexican Style Chili Verde ( Pork Chunks in Green Sauce )

Tender chunks of pork in an authentic Mexican style green sauce. Served with warm corn tortillas, avocado, cilantro and onions and lettuce. Along with Mexican rice and refried beans and your favorite hot sauce… oh my! A meal everyone will love.

Chili Verde with Rice and Beans

Ingredients: Pork

2 1/2 to 3lbs. pork loin ( 1/2in. cube )

1 tbsp.  salt

1 1/2 teas.  pepper

1 teas.  garlic powder

2 teas.  chili powder

1/4 teas.  cumin

4 tbsp.  olive oil

2 1/2 cups water (Not part of the marinade)

Ingredients: Chili Verde ( Green Sauce )

The tomatillos on the right have been peeled and washed.

1 1/2 lbs. fresh tomatillos

1 big onion

2 green or Anaheim chili’s or pablanos

4 cloves fresh garlic ( peeled )

1/2 teas. salt

1/4 teas. pepper

1/4 teas. dry Mexican oregano

1/4 teas. sugar

Method: Chili Verde with Pork

Start by cutting your pork into 1/2 inch cubes and add to a large ziplock bag. Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin and olive oil to your bag. (Do not add the water) Close the bag leaving a little bit of air in it and “smoosh” it around to thoroughly mix the seasoning into the pork. Reopen the bag and remove as much air as you can and close. Set this aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

While your pork is marinating, Peel the outer shell of the tomatillos off and wash them to remove the sticky residue, cut them in half. Slice the onion into 8 equal size pieces. Slice your chili’s in half, remove the stems and de-seed them. Transfer your tomatillos, onion and chili’s along with the 4 cloves of garlic into a baking dish and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour to 1:15. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Add to a blender along with the salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder and sugar. Start your blender on pulse to get it started and then to blend making sure that everything gets blended. You might have to do this in a few batches. Set this aside until your pork is ready for it.

After your pork has marinated, add it to a large deep skillet preheated to high. You will want a pan big enough to hold the pork and the sauce. A good way to know if your pan is hot enough is to add a few drops of olive oil to it and when it starts to smoke, it’s ready. Sear your pork on all sides, stirring often, this will take about 20 minutes or so. Once the pork has seared, stir in your sauce along with about 2 1/2 cups of water and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to the lowest possible setting and cover. Your looking for a very low simmer, it should barely even bubble.  Cook for about 1 1/2 hours stirring occasionally. You could also transfer your covered pan to a 300 degree oven and bake for about an hour, provided your pan and lid are oven proof. Everybody’s stove is a little different so try a piece of the meat, it should be tender, if not cook it a little longer.

Ingredients: Cilantro and Onions/Lettuce/Avocado

1 cup fresh cilantro ( chopped )

1/2 onion ( small dice )

1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 head lettuce ( shredded )

2 avocados ( 1/2 in. dice )

Method: Cilantro and Onions/Lettuce/Avocado

While your pork is cooking, add your cilantro and onions to a bowl. Drizzle with lemon and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper and give it a good stir to mix. The lettuce just needs to be shredded and the avocado diced.

For the tortillas you will need about 12 to 18 corn tortillas, 6 inch. Stack them in sets of 3 and wrap them in foil and place in a 350 degree oven to warm, about 10 minutes.

To plate, spoon some of your chili verde onto a plate, add some of your shredded lettuce, avocado and cilantro and onions. Place 1 pack of tortillas on the side and your ready to eat! Add rice and beans and you have a fabulous Mexican meal that everyone will enjoy.

This is a wonderful meal that is fun to eat. Everyone gets to make their own tacos, just like in a Mexican restaurant… they’ll love it! This really isn’t that hard to make either and people will think your a pro… HAPPY COOKING!

David