Best Ancho Chile Pork Chops Recipes

CHILI-MARINATED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Heat heavy large skillet over medium heat; add chilies. Using spatula, press down on chilies until beginning to soften and darken, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer chilies to work surface; cool. Cut chilies in half lengthwise; remove seeds and stems and discard. Place in bowl. Add enough boiling water to cover; let stand until chilies soften, about 1 hour.
• Drain chilies, reserving 1/2 cup soaking liquid. Place chilies in blender. Add vinegar, garlic, cloves, oregano, cinnamon, thyme and reserved soaking liquid. Blend until smooth paste forms, about 2 minutes. Arrange pork in shallow dish. Spoon chili paste over pork; turn to coat. Cover, chill at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Remove pork from marinade, scraping off excess chili paste. Season pork with salt and pepper. Add pork to skillet; cook until brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.

ANCHO PORK CHOPS AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine the ancho powder, cumin, granulated garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Rub the spice mixture onto both sides of the pork chops.
• Over medium-high temperature in a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil, then brown the pork chops, 4 minutes per side or until done (depending on the thickness of the chops); remove meat from pan and set aside, keeping warm.
• Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and the butter to the skillet you cooked the pork in and allow them to melt together, then add the onion, bell peppers, sherry, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and sauté for 4 minutes or until cooked to desired texture.
• Add the minced garlic cloves and sauté 1 additional minute, then remove from heat and stir in the lime juice; season to taste with freshly ground pepper.
• Serve browned pork chops and sautéed peppers together - they go well with rice and beans.

PORK CHOPS WITH CHILES RELLENOS AND ANCHO SAUCE

Steps:

• Char chiles over gas flame or in broiler until blackened all over. Place chiles in bowl; cover tightly with plastic wrap and let steam 15 minutes. Peel, leaving stem intact (do not tear flesh of chiles). Using small sharp knife, cut 1 long slit down side of each chile; carefully remove seeds. Toast cumin seeds in small skillet over medium-high heat until slightly darkened and aromatic, 1 to 2 minutes. Set chiles and cumin aside.
• Line rimless baking sheet with foil. Cook potatoes in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender, about 8 minutes. Drain. Transfer potatoes to medium bowl; cool. Add cheese, chopped oregano, and toasted cumin; stir to distribute evenly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Carefully fill chiles with potato mixture, about 1/3 to 1/2 cup filling for each. Working with 1 chile at a time, hold in palm and squeeze gently to compress lightly. Place stuffed chiles on prepared sheet.
• Combine broth, juice, 2 teaspoons chile powder, and next 4 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until slightly thickened and reduced to 2/3 cup, 8 to 9 minutes. DO AHEAD: Chiles and sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill separately. Let chiles return to room temperature before continuing.
• Mix 3 teaspoons chile powder and 1 tablespoon coarse salt in small bowl. Sprinkle mixture over pork chops; let stand at room temperature up to 2 hours.
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Brush pork with oil. Place pork chops on 1 side of grill. Transfer chiles on foil to opposite side of grill. Grill pork chops until just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side; transfer to plate and let rest 10 minutes. Grill chiles until cheese melts, about 15 minutes.
• Rewarm sauce. Place 1 pork chop and 1 chile on each plate. Drizzle sauce over, sprinkle with oregano leaves, and serve.
• Often called pasillas; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores, farmers' markets, and Latin markets.
• ** Available in the spice section of many supermarkets and at Latin markets.
• *** Available in tubes at some supermarkets and at Italian markets.

MEXICAN CHILE PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan set over high heat, add 1 cup water, the agave, 2 tablespoons salt, the cumin, cracked black pepper, garlic, oregano, 2 of the anchos, 1 of the chipotles, 2 of the guajillos, the beer and limes. Cook, stirring, until the salt dissolves. Remove from the heat, add the ice, and stir until cool. Pour the brine into a large, resealable plastic bag and add the pork chops. Seal the bag and refrigerate for up to 1 hour.
• Preheat the grill to high heat and wipe the grates down carefully with some oiled paper towels to clean and create a nonstick surface.
• In a dry skillet set over medium-high heat add the remaining 1 ancho, 2 chipotles and 1 guajillo chile. Cook the chiles until fragrant and lightly charred, 1 to 2 minutes. Place the chiles in a spice grinder and grind to a fine powder. In a small bowl, add the chile powder, cumin, granulated garlic, sugar, paprika, the remaining 1/2 tablespoon salt, the mustard and ground black pepper. Mix to combine, and set aside.
• Remove the pork chops from the brine, then pat dry and brush with the canola oil. Coat evenly all over with the spice rub. Grill the pork chops for 2 1/2 minutes. Rotate the chops 90 degrees and cook another 2 1/2 minutes to create crosshatch sear marks. Flip the chops over and repeat the same process on the second side. Move the chops to an area of the grill with medium heat and continue cooking until cooked through and an internal thermometer inserted in the chops reads 145 degrees F for medium doneness, 7 to 8 minutes. Rest the chops for 5 to 7 minutes for the juices to redistribute.
• Serve the pork chops with the Grilled Green Chile Sauce spooned over the top and garnish with Pico De Gallo.
• In a large bowl, add the hatch chiles, Anaheim chiles, jalapenos, poblanos, onions and scallions. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 1 teaspoon of the salt, and mix to coat. Grill the chiles, onions and scallions until charred, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set the scallions and onions aside; place the chiles in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and steam for 6 to 8 minutes. Once the chiles cool, carefully scrape away and discard the charred skin, then remove the stems and seeds, and roughly chop. In the bowl of a food processor, add the chiles, onions, scallions, the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, the vinegar, garlic, lime juice, zest and cilantro. Process until smooth and bright green, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in a bowl, then cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• In a small bowl add the tomatoes, lemon juice, jalapenos, celery juice, cilantro, oil, salt, garlic and onions. Mix to combine, then cover and refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the excess liquid before serving.