1 poblano pepper, stem and seeds removed, cut into large dice
1 large onion, cut into large dice
1 cup celery, cut into large dice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, cut into small dice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/4 cup gold tequila
1/2 cup beer
2 cups rich chicken stock
4 corn tortillas, fried
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
lime juice to taste
GARNISH
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup country ham, cut into small dice
1/2 cup sweet corn kernels
1/4 cup red onion, cut into small dice
1/4 cup celery, cut into small dice
1 tablespoon jalapeño, cut into fine dice
3/4 cup pozole, cooked
1/4 cup yellow tomato, cut into small dice
1/4 cup red tomato, cut into small dice
directions
Preheat oven to 375°. Place yellow tomatoes on sheet pan and roast for 15 minutes or until tomatoes are soft. Remove from oven and purée the tomatoes in a blender until smooth. Reserve tomato mixture.
Heat the oil in a heavy bottom saucepan over medium-high heat. Add poblano pepper, onion and celery and sauté for 3 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add garlic, jalapeño, cumin and coriander and sauté for 1 minute.
Deglaze pan with tequila and beer and reduce by half, about 1 minute. Add the chicken stock, tortillas, and reserved tomatoes.
Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until mixture has thickened like a traditional tomato sauce.
Strain through a large-hole strainer or China cap and season with salt, pepper and lime juice to taste. Reserve.
Heat the oil in a heavy bottom saucepan over medium-high heat. Add ham and sauté until browned, about 2 minutes. Add corn, red onion, celery and jalapeño and sauté for 3 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add remaining ingredients and heat through for about 1 minute. Add reserved yellow tomato sauce and mix to combine. Keep warm.
Recipe by Dean Fearing
This recipe originally appeared in June, 1999.