Santa Fe Style Pork Carne Adovada
Embark on a culinary adventure with this authentic Santa Fe Style Pork Carne Adovada, a cherished recipe from a beloved restaurant in New Mexico. This rich and flavorful dish features tender pork shoulder, marinated in a vibrant sauce made from roasted red chiles, garlic, and spices. Whether served as a cozy one-dish meal or used to elevate tacos and burritos, Carne Adovada is a true celebration of Southwestern flavors that will transport you straight to the heart of New Mexico. Serve it with warm tortillas, rice, or your favorite sides for a complete and satisfying meal.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pork Shoulder
2 1/2 lbs (Cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes)
Water
16 ounces (None)
Garlic cloves
6 (Peeled and roughly chopped)
Onion
1 medium (Peeled and chopped)
Salt
1 tablespoon (None)
Black pepper
1/8 teaspoon (Freshly ground)
Dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon (None)
Red chili peppers
3 ounces (Coarsely chopped)
Red chili powder
2 1/2 ounces (Hatch chiles recommended)
Instructions
1
Begin by cutting the pork shoulder into 1 1/2-inch cubes and place them in a large roasting pan (approximately 13 by 21 inches). Ensure the pieces are uniform for even cooking.
2
In a blender, combine the water, garlic cloves, chopped onion, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, coarsely chopped red chili peppers, and red chili powder. Blend the mixture until it reaches a smooth consistency, ensuring the flavors meld beautifully.
3
Pour the blended sauce over the pork cubes in the roasting pan, using a spatula or your hands to toss the meat and coat it evenly with the marinade.
4
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Once preheated, cover the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil to trap in moisture.
5
Bake the Carne Adovada in the oven for 1 1/2 hours, checking for tenderness. The meat should be fork-tender and infused with the rich flavors of the marinade. If needed, let it cook longer, checking every 15 minutes.
6
Remove the dish from the oven, allowing it to rest for a few minutes before serving. This dish can be enjoyed on its own or used as a delectable filling for tacos, enchiladas, or burritos.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Santa Fe Style Pork Carne Adovada?
It is a traditional New Mexican dish featuring tender pork shoulder marinated in a rich sauce made from roasted red chiles, garlic, and spices.
What cut of pork is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 pounds of pork shoulder.
How should the pork be prepared before cooking?
The pork shoulder should be cut into 1 1/2-inch uniform cubes to ensure even cooking.
What size roasting pan is needed?
A large roasting pan approximately 13 by 21 inches is recommended.
What are the main components of the marinade sauce?
The sauce is a blend of water, garlic cloves, onion, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, red chili peppers, and red chili powder.
How is the sauce made?
Combine all sauce ingredients in a blender and process until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency.
What type of chili powder should I use for an authentic flavor?
Hatch red chili powder is specifically recommended for this recipe.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe requires 6 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped.
How do I ensure the pork is well-seasoned?
After pouring the blended sauce over the pork cubes, use a spatula or your hands to toss the meat and coat it evenly.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
Should the pan be covered during baking?
Yes, the roasting pan should be tightly covered with aluminum foil to trap moisture.
How long does the Carne Adovada bake?
The dish should bake for 1 1/2 hours.
How do I know when the meat is done?
The meat is ready when it is fork-tender and has absorbed the rich flavors of the marinade.
What should I do if the pork is not tender after 1 1/2 hours?
Let it cook longer, checking for tenderness every 15 minutes until it is soft.
Should the dish rest after being removed from the oven?
Yes, allow the dish to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Can this pork be used for tacos?
Yes, it makes a delectable filling for tacos.
Is this recipe suitable for burritos?
Carne Adovada is an excellent filling for burritos.
Can I use this recipe for enchiladas?
Yes, the tender pork is perfect for using in enchiladas.
What can I serve with Carne Adovada?
It is traditionally served with warm tortillas, rice, or other favorite Southwestern sides.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
How much water is needed for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 16 ounces of water.
What type of onion is required?
Use one medium onion, peeled and chopped.
How much red chili powder is used?
The recipe requires 2 1/2 ounces of red chili powder.
What amount of whole red chili peppers are used?
Use 3 ounces of coarsely chopped red chili peppers.
Is there oregano in the recipe?
Yes, 1/8 teaspoon of dried oregano is included.
What is the origin of this recipe?
This is a cherished recipe from a beloved restaurant in New Mexico.
Does the meat need to be browned before baking?
No, the meat is marinated raw and then baked directly in the oven.
What kind of black pepper is best?
Freshly ground black pepper is recommended for the best flavor.
Is this considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it can be served as a cozy and satisfying one-dish meal.
How much salt is added to the marinade?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of salt.