I'll bet you're already sick of that cloying, slightly farty odor thats rising from that gallon ziplock in your meat drawer. The idea of another cold (or worse, tepid) cranberry, mashed potato, turkey sandwich is enough to make you disavow the same thing you were eagerly raking in the compliments for, scant days prior. And at this late stage in the game, does anyone really need a recipe? They need advice. Feed it to the cats, if they'll have it and start the harvest feasting anew. And what cleanses a palate batter than pork and chilies? So how about some black bean, pork chile con carne?
Black Bean Pork Chile con Carne
2lbs pork steaks cubed
1 shallot minced
3 cloves garlic crushed
6-8 tablespoons of our fresh chile powder
4 cups chicken stock
1 can of black beans or 2 cups of prepared black beans
4 sprigs thyme
3-4 fresh minced sage leaves
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
4 tablespoons olive oil
First, sautee your shallots in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Once they're glassy, add 3 tablespoons of the chile powder and cook together for about 2 minutes on low. Meanwhile, toss your cubed pork steak in the remaining oil half the remaining chile powder. Once your house smells wonderfully of chile and cumin, add in the pork and bring the heat up to medium. You can add a little more oil if it becomes too dry for proper browning. Once the pork has taken on some color, add in the chicken broth and the remaining spices and bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer until reduced by about a quarter or it appears to be thickening up a bit, then add in your prepared black beans and continue to simmer until thickened to your liking.
Serve up with some cornbread or some heated corn tortillas and you're all set for a deliciously non-nutmeggy change of pace. Although, I suppose if you're truly, truly deperate, you can always just do the shallots and chile powder, then add the stock and reduce, then add the black beans, and finally add in some of that dreaded bird that's taking up all of your refrigerator real estate. I won't tell the spouse if you won't!
-Pook
