1pounddried posole or 2 (29-ounce) cans white hominy
2tablespoonslard, bacon grease, or canola oil
1medium yellow onion, diced
2poundspork shoulder, cubed
8clovesgarlic, minced
8cupswater
1smoked ham hock
1tablespoonKosher salt
1tablespoonMexican oregano
1tablespoonground cumin
1/2teaspoonground cloves
2tablespoonsancho chile powder
9New Mexico chiles, stems and seeds removed
2tablespoonsfreshly squeezed lime juice
1/4cupchopped cilantro
1avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced, for serving
1lime cut into wedges, for serving
Chopped cilantro, for serving
Diced onion, for serving
Tortillas and tortilla chips, for serving
Instructions
If using dried hominy, soak the hominy a gallon of water for at least 8 hours until it’s doubled in size. (If using canned, wait until later to add it to the stew.)
In a large pot, heat up the lard and cook the onion for 5-7 minutes or until soft and beginning to brown. Add the pork and brown on each side for a couple of minutes. Throw in the garlic and cook for 30 more seconds.
Pour the water into the pot and add the ham hock, salt, oregano, cumin, ground cloves, and ancho-chile powder. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a low simmer.
Meanwhile, take the New Mexican chiles and cook on high in a dry cast-iron skillet until the pop, a couple of minutes. Turn off the heat, add water to the skillet and let the chiles soak until hydrated, about half an hour.
Drain the chile-soaking liquid, and place the chiles in a blender. Add 1 cup of water and blend on high until a smooth puree has formed. Stir the chile puree into the soup pot.
After a couple of hours, add the hominy to the pot along with the juice of one lime and the chopped cilantro. At this point, taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt if desired. Continue to cook on low for a couple more hours until pork and hominy are tender and fragrant.
Pour into bowls and serve with diced onions, lime wedges, chopped cilantro, avocado slices and tortillas or tortilla chips.
Notes
Substituting beer or broth for all or part of the water is delicious, as well!