| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 1 hour 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 350 | 16g | 5g | 20g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 10g | 3g | 23g | 2g |
Why I Love Mexican Pork in Green Sauce
Let me tell you a story about a wonderful dish: Pork in Green Sauce, a glorious Mexican recipe that warms my heart every time I prepare it. Along my culinary journey, I’ve always been drawn to the way food can paint a colorful tapestry of culture and tradition, connecting us all in a universal language of flavors. Although this dish is quite different from the Afro-Southern fusion I often cook, it brings me the same joy and depth of character that I strive to convey in my own kitchen.
Sharing this recipe allows me to embrace another food culture that I deeply respect and admire. It aligns with my love of pairing unique, vibrant ingredients to result in meals that are greater than the sum of their parts. This pork dish, cloaked in a dynamic green sauce made from tomatillos, chilies, and cilantro, does exactly that. The twist of lime added towards the end of cooking process pays a humble nod to the West African flavor palette that I know and love.
Combining Culture on a Plate
The vision behind my discovery of Pork in Green Sauce came from watching acclaimed Mexican chef, Rick Bayless. His techniques and cultural knowledge inspired me to dive head-first into traditional Mexican cooking, adapting the techniques to create this exquisite recipe. Seeing how richly his food was steeped in tradition and community, I couldn’t help but resonate with it. It reminded me of how I feel cooking dishes straight from my Nigerian roots.
A Symphony of Flavors
Hundreds of miles away from the Southern cuisine of my Atlanta upbringing, a Mexican dish might seem foreign. Yet, the act of cooking from scratch – the roasting of the tomatillos and chilies, the simmering of the pork – it feels like home. The balance between the lean pork and the tangy green sauce is not so different from collard greens glossed with some good old vinegar.
If you’re looking for dishes to pair with the Pork in Green Sauce, cilantro lime rice or roasted corn would complement it beautifully. If you’re feeling adventurous, it could even be fun to try it alongside some spicy red beans, which would add a welcoming kick to every bite.
Just one taste of this Pork in Green Sauce will whisk you away on a culinary adventure, from West Africa to the Southern United States, landing in the hearty kitchens of Mexican cuisine. Cooking is, indeed, a journey; and this dish is certainly worth the trip.
What You’ll Need
- 2 pounds of lean pork
- 1.5 pounds of tomatillos
- 2 jalapenos
- 2 Serrano chilies
- 1 bunch of cilantro leaves
- 1 large white onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons of cumin
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Method
Step One
Start by preparing your ingredients. Cut the 2 pounds of lean pork into bite-sized pieces. Remove the husks from 1.5 pounds of tomatillos and rinse them to get rid of stickiness. For the heat, seed and chop 2 jalapenos and 2 Serrano chilies. Finally, chop up your large white onion and mince your garlic cloves.
Step Two
In a large pot, heat up 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add the chopped pork pieces to the pot and sauté until all the pieces are browned. Remove the pork pieces from the pot and set aside.
Step Three
In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent from burning.
Step Four
Add your prepared tomatillos, jalapenos, and Serrano chilies to the pot. Stir in 2 teaspoons of cumin, and add salt and pepper to taste. Let the mixture cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step Five
Return the browned pork pieces to the pot. Stir the ingredients together and then add 4 cups of chicken broth. Turn the heat to a simmer, and let the mixture cook for about an hour or until the pork is tender.
Step Six
Wash and chop up your bunch of cilantro leaves. In the last five minutes of cooking, stir in the cilantro leaves. This will give the dish a fresh, herby taste and a vibrant green color.
Step Seven
Once the pork is cooked and tender, your Pork in Green Sauce is ready to be served. Enjoy it hot, either on its own or over rice for a filling meal.
