4-Medium ripe tomatoes (About 2 pounds)
12-Large poblano chiles
Vegetable oil for frying
2-Small green or other cooking apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
4-Ripe, firm peaches, peeled or 1/2 cup dried, diced
2- Small ripe plantains, skin removed, diced
6-Tablespoons diced preserved citron, diced
6-Tablespoons dark or golden raisins softened in 1 cup dry sherry
l-Cup unsalted butter or vegetable oil
2- Medium onions, finely diced
4-Cups shredded cooked pork butt - (Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste)
1-Teaspoon canela (True Ceylon cinnamon)
Nogada Sauce (Recipe follows)
1- Cup pomegranate seeds
50-Italian parsley leaves
Nogada - Walnut Sauce
2 cups walnuts
1 pound queso fresco or cream cheese
1 cup milk
2 small French rolls soaked in milk until softened and squeezed dry
2/3 cup dried sherry
1/2 teaspoon ground canela (true Ceylon Cinnamon or use 1/4 teaspoon U.S. cinnamon 1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste
Heat heavy cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat until a drop of water sizzles on contact. Roast the tomatoes, turning several times, until blistered on all sides. Let cool until just cool enough to handle. Peel the tomatoes, remove the seeds and chop finely. Set aside.
Wash the poblano chiles and thoroughly dry them. Make a small (l to l l/2 inches long) lengthwise slit in each chile. Pour oil into large heavy skillet to a depth of about l/2 inch and heat over high heat until very hot but not quite smoking. Fry the chiles, 3 at a time, turning once or twice, until they puff up and take on an olive-beige color. Remove from pan as they are done. Carefully peel chiles under cold running water. Very gently pull out seeds through the slit in each chile, being sure not to tear the flesh. Set aside.
In large skillet, melt the butter or vegetable oil over medium heat until very hot and fragrant. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 3 minutes. Add fresh and dried fruit and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the spices and pork and cook, stirring to combine, for 2 minutes more. Season with the canela, salt, and pepper to taste. Carefully fill the mixture into the chiles through the slit in each. Bake on greased baking sheet or shallow pan for 5 minutes. Cover the chiles with the nogada sauce and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and a few leaves of Italian parsley. Chiles may be served warm or at room temperature.
Nogada - Walnut Sauce
Soak the walnuts in cold water or milk for three hours or overnight in water to cover. Discard the soaking liquid Grind the walnuts in the food processor or blender with the French roll, cheese, cream or milk, the sherry, cinnamon, sugar and salt.
Posted: 7/2/2009 1:38:34 PM