Now it’s time to use up that smoked turkey breast, and what better way than to make enchiladas with mole sauce? These are stacked enchiladas, which are more commonly served in New Mexico. In fact, there are a number of sauces that can be used in this recipe, including New Mexican Red or Green Chile sauces. Prepared Oaxacan black mole sauce is available online from Zingermans.com.
Serve these stuffed chiles as is or covered with green chile sauce and accompanied by pinto beans.
Lamb is by far the most popular meat in the country and it is prepared in several ways. Folktales say this is how Genghis Khan liked his lamb prepared while on his way through the country. If you prefer beef, it can be substituted, using a cut suitable for roasting.
1/2 teaspoon ground or powdered red chile
1 5-pound leg of lamb, trimmed of fat
8 ounces plain yogurt
1/2 level teaspoon powdered ginger
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 ounces ground pistachio nuts
1/2 teaspoon saffron, or substitute annatto (available in Latin markets)
1/4 pound butter or shortening
Pierce the surface of the meat with a fork. Mix all of the ingredients together, except the butter, and rub into the meat thoroughly. The Afghans keep the meat at room temperature for about 12 hours, but I prefer to cover it and keep it in the refrigerator overnight.
Place the lamb in a shallow roasting pan, dot the surface with the butter, then place it in the oven for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees F. Reduce the oven heat to 300 degrees F. and cook for three hours, or longer if needed. Baste with the juices in the pan and serve hot with a rice side dish.
Heat scale: mild
This is the almost universal way meat is cooked every day, as well as for festive get-togethers. It is about as close to the national meat dish of Afghanistan as one can get. Lamb is commonly used, but beef can be substituted.
1/2 teaspoon of chopped fresh or dried red chile
1 pound boneless lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup of plain yogurt
2 cloves of garlic, chopped fine
Combine all ingredients and allow the meat to marinate for 4 to 5 hours. Place the meat on barbecue skewers and grill over wood or charcoal. When done, the kabobs can be eaten as is or placed inside non or pita bread.
Heat scale: mild
This recipe takes a lot of time but the end result is well worth it. Pork shoulder roasts go on sale at the supermarket all the time, so you get maximum bang for your buck. I cold smoke the pork while the beans are soaking and cooking.
2-3 lb pork shoulder roast
1 lb bag of dried red beans
Cinnamon BBQ Sauce:
8 oz cans tomato paste
8 oz water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup Worcester sauce
2 1/2 tablespoons molasses
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon thyme
Soak the beans in water overnight, per the instructions on the package.
Cold smoke the pork shoulder for 2 hours over 1 cup of water-soaked apple wood chips, changing the chips every 20-30 minutes.
While the pork is smoking, rinse the beans and place on a low heat for 90 minutes, partially covered. Place the beans in a crock pot.
Blend all other ingredients except the sauce until smooth, then add to the pot and mix with the beans. Set the pork atop the beans, turn the crock pot on low, and let cook on low for 8-10 hours.
About an hour before completion, the pork should be fork-tender. Place it on a cutting board, shred it, and mix it back into the pot for the last hour of cooking.
Heat scale: Mild
