Slow-Cooker Carne Adovada
Photo: Thomas J. Story
Rancho de Chimayó restaurant, in Chimayó, New Mexico, serves probably the most classic version of this New Mexico stew of pork braised in velvety red chile sauce. It's great when made ahead, and is ideal for a slow cooker.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
If using whole chiles, preheat oven to 300°. Break stems off chile pods, tear pods open a little, and pull out seeds. "Wear rubber gloves if you are not used to handling chiles," Malcom advises, since chiles can cause a burning sensation. "A few seeds add more heat, but adding a lot of them can make the sauce crunchy."
Step 2
2
Put chiles in a 4- to 6-qt. pot, rinse, and drain. Dry pot to use later.
Step 3
3
Arrange damp chiles in a single layer on two baking sheets and toast in oven until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes (they won't dry completely). Let cool, then break each chile into 2 or 3 pieces. "The time in the oven deepens the flavor, but the toasting probably goes back to cooks who had to grind the chiles by hand. Toasted pods are more brittle and easier to crush."
Step 4
4
Make sauce: Warm oil in 6-qt. pot over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. If using preground chiles, sprinkle over garlic, then gradually whisk in 3 1/2 cups water.
Step 5
5
If using whole chiles, purée half of them in a blender with 1 1/2 cups water until you get a thick, velvety liquid with flecks of chile pulp, about 2 minutes. Pour into pot of garlic. Repeat with remaining pods and another 1 1/2 cups water. "Use 1 more cup of water to rinse out the blender, then pour it into the pot so you get all the good chile bits."
Step 6
6
Stir in onion, chile pequin, oregano, and garlic salt. "The chile pequin, a hotter, smaller red chile, adds heat and texture to the sauce." Bring to a boil over medium heat, covered; then reduce heat, uncover, and simmer 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until as thick as fudge sauce. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Stir in pork, making sure all pieces of meat are coated. Cover and chill overnight.
Step 7
7
The next day, put pork and sauce in a slow-cooker (5 to 6 qt.) with a tight-fitting lid (wrap lid in foil if it's loose). Cook on high until meat is fork tender, at least 7 and up to 9 hours. Taste and season with more garlic salt if you like.
Step 8
8
Make ahead: Up to 1 week, chilled (add a bit of water to reheat in oven or on stove).
Step 9
9
*Find ground Chimayó chiles (in limited supply) at santafeschoolofcooking.com ($25/4-oz. pkg.). Ordinary New Mexico chiles can be found at well-stocked grocery stores and Latino markets.
Ingredients
8 ounces (30 to 35) whole dried New Mexico red chiles, mild to medium heat, or 7 oz. ground dried red New Mexico chiles (about 1 1/2 cups)*
1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
4 garlic cloves, crushed in a garlic press or minced
2 tablespoons finely chopped yellow onion
1 tablespoon crushed chile pequin
About 1 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon crumbled dried oregano
3 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, as much fat trimmed as possible, meat cut into 2-in. pieces
Directions
Step 1
1
If using whole chiles, preheat oven to 300°. Break stems off chile pods, tear pods open a little, and pull out seeds. "Wear rubber gloves if you are not used to handling chiles," Malcom advises, since chiles can cause a burning sensation. "A few seeds add more heat, but adding a lot of them can make the sauce crunchy."
Step 2
2
Put chiles in a 4- to 6-qt. pot, rinse, and drain. Dry pot to use later.
Step 3
3
Arrange damp chiles in a single layer on two baking sheets and toast in oven until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes (they won't dry completely). Let cool, then break each chile into 2 or 3 pieces. "The time in the oven deepens the flavor, but the toasting probably goes back to cooks who had to grind the chiles by hand. Toasted pods are more brittle and easier to crush."
Step 4
4
Make sauce: Warm oil in 6-qt. pot over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. If using preground chiles, sprinkle over garlic, then gradually whisk in 3 1/2 cups water.
Step 5
5
If using whole chiles, purée half of them in a blender with 1 1/2 cups water until you get a thick, velvety liquid with flecks of chile pulp, about 2 minutes. Pour into pot of garlic. Repeat with remaining pods and another 1 1/2 cups water. "Use 1 more cup of water to rinse out the blender, then pour it into the pot so you get all the good chile bits."
Step 6
6
Stir in onion, chile pequin, oregano, and garlic salt. "The chile pequin, a hotter, smaller red chile, adds heat and texture to the sauce." Bring to a boil over medium heat, covered; then reduce heat, uncover, and simmer 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until as thick as fudge sauce. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Stir in pork, making sure all pieces of meat are coated. Cover and chill overnight.
Step 7
7
The next day, put pork and sauce in a slow-cooker (5 to 6 qt.) with a tight-fitting lid (wrap lid in foil if it's loose). Cook on high until meat is fork tender, at least 7 and up to 9 hours. Taste and season with more garlic salt if you like.
Step 8
8
Make ahead: Up to 1 week, chilled (add a bit of water to reheat in oven or on stove).
Step 9
9
*Find ground Chimayó chiles (in limited supply) at santafeschoolofcooking.com ($25/4-oz. pkg.). Ordinary New Mexico chiles can be found at well-stocked grocery stores and Latino markets.
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