Savory Pork Posole with Hominy
This hearty and comforting Posole is a vibrant Mexican soup that embodies the warmth of home-cooked meals. Taught to me by my dear friend Mary, who grew up in Mexico, this recipe is a delightful twist on the traditional dish, featuring tender cubed pork and flavorful hominy. While Mary includes a whole jalapeño for an extra kick, this version is milder yet packed with savory goodness. The combination of spices, green chilies, and aromatic herbs create a flavorful base that is simmered to perfection. Serve it with fresh cilantro, zesty lime wedges, and crunchy corn chips for a complete meal that warms the soul and tantalizes the taste buds.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooked pork
3 cups (cut into bite-sized cubes (pork shoulder is traditional; or other pork roast))
Lard or bacon fat
2 tablespoons (melted)
Onion
1 large (chopped)
Garlic
2 cloves (peeled and diced)
Cumin
1 teaspoon (ground)
Oregano
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
Diced green chili peppers
2 (4 ounce) cans (or 2 fresh green chilies, seeded and diced)
White hominy
2 (15 ounce) cans (drained and rinsed)
Cooking pinto beans
1 1/2 cups (or 1 (15 ounce) can (optional))
Pork or chicken stock
1 quart (homemade or store-bought)
Salt
to taste
Cilantro
1/2 cup (chopped (garnish))
Lime
1 (cut into wedges (garnish))
Instructions
1
In a large, heavy-bottomed pan or pot, heat the lard or bacon fat over medium heat until melted.
2
Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
3
Stir in the minced garlic, cumin, oregano, and black pepper, and cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
4
Add the cooked pork, diced green chilies, drained and rinsed hominy, and optional pinto beans to the pan. Stir everything together and cook for another 2 minutes.
5
Pour in the pork stock (or chicken stock) and season with salt to taste.
6
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cover, and let cook for about 1 hour, allowing all the flavors to meld together.
7
Once cooked, ladle the Posole into bowls, and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and a lime wedge for those who enjoy a splash of citrus.
8
For an added crunch, serve alongside large corn chips and refreshing cold melon.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Pork Posole with Hominy?
It is a hearty, vibrant Mexican soup made with tender cubed pork, hominy, and aromatic spices, described as a comforting and soulful meal.
Who inspired this specific Posole recipe?
This recipe was taught by a friend named Mary, who grew up in Mexico and shared her twist on the traditional dish.
What type of pork should be used for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of cooked pork cut into bite-sized cubes, with pork shoulder or other pork roasts being traditional choices.
Is this version of Posole spicy?
This version is milder than traditional recipes but remains packed with savory goodness from green chilies and spices.
What is the primary vegetable ingredient in this soup?
The primary ingredient besides pork is white hominy, which provides a unique flavor and texture.
How much hominy is required?
The recipe requires two 15-ounce cans of white hominy, which should be drained and rinsed before use.
What cooking fat is recommended for the base?
Two tablespoons of lard or bacon fat are recommended to sauté the aromatics.
How should the onion be prepared?
One large onion should be chopped and sautéed until it becomes translucent.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe uses two cloves of garlic, peeled and diced.
What spices are used to flavor the broth?
The broth is flavored with ground cumin, dried oregano, and ground black pepper.
Can I use fresh chilies instead of canned?
Yes, you can substitute the two 4-ounce cans of green chilies with two fresh green chilies that have been seeded and diced.
Are beans included in this Posole?
Pinto beans are an optional addition; you can include 1.5 cups of cooked beans or one 15-ounce can.
What type of stock is used for the liquid base?
The recipe uses one quart of either pork stock or chicken stock, which can be homemade or store-bought.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
Once the ingredients are combined and brought to a simmer, the soup should cook covered for about 1 hour.
What are the recommended garnishes?
Fresh chopped cilantro and lime wedges are the recommended garnishes for serving.
What side dishes go well with this Posole?
It is suggested to serve the soup alongside large corn chips and refreshing cold melon.
How do you start the cooking process?
Start by heating lard or bacon fat in a large, heavy-bottomed pan or pot over medium heat until melted.
When should the garlic and spices be added?
Stir in the garlic, cumin, oregano, and pepper after the onions have sautéed for 5 minutes, then cook for 2 more minutes.
What is the texture of the pork in this dish?
The pork is described as tender and cut into bite-sized cubes.
Is this recipe considered a complete meal?
Yes, when served with cilantro, lime, and corn chips, it is described as a complete meal that warms the soul.
How much cumin is needed?
The recipe calls for one teaspoon of ground cumin.
How much oregano is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano.
Should the hominy be rinsed?
Yes, the white hominy should be both drained and rinsed before being added to the pot.
Can I add salt to the dish?
Yes, salt should be added to taste once the stock is poured into the mixture.
What size cans of green chilies are used?
The recipe uses two 4-ounce cans of diced green chili peppers.
What is the purpose of the lime wedge?
The lime wedge is used as a garnish to provide a splash of citrus for those who enjoy that flavor profile.
What type of pot is best for this recipe?
A large, heavy-bottomed pan or pot is recommended for even cooking and simmering.
Does the recipe use fresh or dried cilantro?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of fresh chopped cilantro as a garnish.
Why is the soup simmered for an hour?
Simmering for an hour allows all the flavors of the pork, hominy, and spices to meld together perfectly.
Is this a traditional Mexican recipe?
It is a twist on a traditional Mexican dish, modified to be slightly milder but still authentic in its base components.