W.C.’s Green Chile Sauce

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This recipe dates to 1976, when W.C. created it for his first restaurant, the Morning Glory Cafe. It is meatless and dairyless, but “designed for a meat-eater’s taste,” according to W.C. It is easily frozen or canned.

Ingredients

  • 6 cups chopped hot New Mexican green chile

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1/2 tablespoon red chile powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder

  • 1 tablespoon salt

  • 10 cups water

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 1 1/2 cups water

Instructions

In a large pan, combine the green chile, garlic, onion, coriander, red chile powder, white pepper, cumin, salt, and water. Bring to a boil and boil, uncovered, for 1 hour.

In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water and mix thoroughly. Add to the chile mixture and cook until the mixture clears, about 20 minutes.

Hungarian Gulyas (Goulash)

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This dish probably had its roots with the roving Magyar tribes of central Europe who cooked their meat and vegetables over campfires in large kettles. If you don’t have hot paprika, increase the heat by adding small dried red chiles, rather than adding too much paprika, as it can make the stew too sweet. Serve this hearty stew with a pickled beet salad and a dark rye bread.

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons hot paprika

  • 1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper

  • 1 cup flour

  • 1 pound boneless beef chuck or stew meat, cut in 1 ½ inch cubes

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 medium onion, cut in thin slices

  • 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced

  • 1 medium potato, peeled and cubed

  • 6 small dried red chiles such as piquin

  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds

  • 1 quart beef broth

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

  • 2 cups cooked egg noodles

  • Garnish: Sour cream

  • Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Combine 4 tablespoons of the paprika and the black pepper with the flour and mix well. Add the beef and toss to coat the meat. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the seasoned flour.

Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet until medium hot, add the beef and brown. Remove the cubes and place in a large stockpot.

Add the onions to the skillet, along with a little more oil and saute until they are browned. Remove and place in the stockpot.

Add the carrots, potatoes, chiles, caraway seeds, remaining paprika and broth to the stockpot. Bring to just under boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for an hour or more until the meat is very tender and the vegetables are done. Taste and season with salt and pepper and more paprika, if desired.

Divide the noodles among the bowls and ladle in the stew. Place a dollop of sour cream on top, sprinkle with the parsley and serve.

Cuban Beans and Rice

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This is yet another variation of the classic and popular dish, black beans and rice or “Moors and Christians.” The recipe gets its name from the black of the beans and white of the rice. Not only a great entree, it can also be used as a filling for tacos and for burritos. Red kidney beans can be substituted in the recipe for a slightly different taste.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, cut in wedges and separated

  • 1 small green bell pepper, cut in strips

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 habanero chiles, minced

  • 1/4 cup tomato paste

  • 2 bay leaves

  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 cup long-grain raw white rice

  • 1 small tomato, cut into wedges

  • 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and liquid reserved

  • Salt to taste

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and habanero in the oil until the onions are softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste, bay leaves, thyme and black pepper.

Add the rice to the pan and saute until the rice becomes opaque. Stir in the tomato and beans.

Pour the bean liquid into a measuring cup and add enough water to make 2 ½ cups. Add to the rice and bean mixture, stirring once. Cover the pan and cook on low for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is done.

To serve, remove the bay leaves and ladle onto a platter and serve with warmed flour tortillas.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Heat Scale: Hot

 

Grilled Beer Pork Chops

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A time-saving alternative to cooking a large pork roast, these chops have an Asian accent. The ginger gives them a nice bite.

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless pork chops, about 3/4-inch thick

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

  • 2 teaspoons grated ginger root

  • 1 teaspoon Asian chile paste (available in Asian markets)

  • 2 cup pale ale or brown ale

Instructions

Place the chops in self-sealing plastic bag and add the other ingredients. Seal the bag. Gently massage the bag to evenly distribute the marinade ingredients. Refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours.

Prepare medium-hot coals in a kettle-style grill. Remove the chops from marinade and discard the marinade. Place the chops on the grill directly over coals. Cover the grill and grill for 10 minutes, turning once.

Tofu and Cucumber Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce

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This super spicy salad was created using a hybrid of Indonesian/Thai satay and Sichuan/Hunan peanut sauces. It transforms mild-mannered tofu and cukes into a memorable salad. Serve it with grilled meats or seafood. From the article Exotic & Spicy Salads.

Ingredients

For the Spicy Peanut Sauce:

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil, or sesame chili oil

  • 1/4 cup ground red New Mexican chile

  • 1/2 cup mushroom soy or regular soy sauce

  • 1/2 cup hoisin sauce

  • 1/4 cup sambal badjak (found in Asian markets) or substitute 1/4 cup sautéed onions

  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar

  • 1 cup dry roasted peanuts, or substitute 2/3 cup chunky peanut butter

For the Tofu and Cucumber Salad:

  • 1 medium Napa cabbage, green or red cabbage or iceberg lettuce, shredded

  • 1 pound block firm tofu, cut in 3/4-inch cubes

  • 3 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and cubed

Instructions

Sauté the garlic in the oil in a pan until golden. Stir in the chile powder and then stir in the soy, hoisin, sambal badjak, vinegar, and peanuts. Bring the mixture to a simmer, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. Using a hand blender, food processor, or standard blender, process the mixture until it is very smooth and let it cool thoroughly.

Divide the cabbage between 6 salad plates and arrange the tofu and cucumber in an attractive pile on the top. Drizzle with the peanut sauce and serve immediately.