Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Pork Rib enchilada casserole with tomatillo/hatch chili sauce

Yes...that does sound a little weird.  First of all, pork rib?  You would be amazed how awesome the country style rib meat is in stews and casseroles.  When you cut it off the bone and into bite size pieces, it is so very tender and more flavorful than chicken.  I combined tomatillo and hatch chilis together to make the enchilada sauce.  Wow, what a flavor boost.  I love both of them as green enchilada sauce and when you combine them...well, words can't really explain it.  Add some cheese and corn tortillas and the casserole is a great dinner and could easily travel for a potluck.  Here is how I did it:

Country Style Pork Rib enchilada casserole with tomatillo/hatch chili sauce:

ENCHILLADA SAUCE
8 medium tomatillos
3 medium sized roasted/skinned/seeded hatch chilis
6 cloves garlic
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp sea salt
1 medium onion
3 cups water

Add above ingredients in to a large sauce pan and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer until tomatillos are very soft.  Using emersion blender, blend until smooth and set aside until needed.  You will only need about 1/2 of it.  Either freeze or can the rest.

Meat mixture and casserole layers

6 full size (about 1lb) country style pork ribs
3 medium russet potatoes (or whatever potatoes you prefer)
1 pkg taco seasoning (or 7 tsp homemade taco seasoning...google recipe)
2-3 cups preferred cheddar or Mexican queso
12-15 small corn tortillas
1 cup greek yogurt or sour cream
2 cups baracho beans (left over from previous meal.  used recipe from allrecipes.com using both pinto and black beans)  or 1 can of drained black beans or pinto beans.

cut up ribs into bite size pieces.  cut potatoes into bite size pieces.  combine in large bowl with lid and add taco seasoning.  Shake to cover.  Add to large sauté pan and sauté until potatoes soft and pork browned.

Start with tortillas...add to large casserole dish.  Cover tortillas with meat mixture, then add yogurt, then half the cheese.  repeat layers except for the cheese.  Add the green sauce and put in an oven preheated to 350 degrees.  Bake for 20 minutes then add rest of cheese and put back in the oven until cheese is melted. 

YUM...ENJOY!
PICTURE IS NOT MY PIC BUT LOOKS SIMILAR.
Quick and Easy Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe