Pork Stew in Red Chile Sauce (Asado de Chile Colorado)

Source: PepperFool

1 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of some but not all of its fat, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
Salt
15 seco del norte chiles
Boiling water
2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1/2 inch cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf, preferably Mexican
1 heaped teaspoon crumbled dried oregano

Arrange the pork in one or two layers in a wide, heavy, flameproof casserole. Barely cover with water, and season with salt. Cover and cook over moderate heat until almost tender, aobut 30 minutes. Drain off most of the broth and reserve, adding enough water to make 2 1/2 cups. Continue to cook the pork uncovered until the fat has been rendered and the meat is slightly browned, about 5 minutes longer.

Meanwhile, using a small sharp knife, slit the chiles lenghtwise and remove the stems, seeds adn veins. Cover with boiling water and set aside to soak for 15 minutes. Drain.

Pour 1/3 cup of the reserved pork broth into a blender. Add the garlic, cinnamon, bay leaf and oregano and blend until smooth. Add the mixture to the pork in the casserole and fry for a few seconds.

Add 1 more cup of the reserved broth and the drained chiles, a few at a time, to the blender and puree. Strain the chiles over the pork through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to extract as much of the flesh and juice as possible. Fry the pork, scraping the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking, for about 5 minutes longer.

Add the remaining pork broth to the casserole and cook over low heat until the meat is tender and the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spon, about 1 hour. Season with salt. Serve warm.

(MAKE AHEAD: The stew can be refrigerated for up to 1 day. Rewarm over moderately low heat.)
4 servings