A delicious pairing of pork ribs, cactus and salsa verde!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 25 minutesminutes
Cook Time 1 hourhour15 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour40 minutesminutes
Servings 6Servings
Ingredients
3poundspork spare ribs
Salt and pepperto taste
Granulated garlicto taste
3tbspavocado oil or pork lard
1large white onion peeled(slice half into strips, leave other half as is)
6clovesof garlicleave 3 whole, 3 minced and set aside for later
12large tomatillospeeled and washed
3-4jalapenosstems removed
3-4serranosstems removed
Handful of fresh cilantro1/3 cup
1tspcumin seeds
1tspMexican oregano
3bay leaves
3cupsnopalitospreviously cooked
Instructions
Slice the ribs into smaller sections. Season lightly with salt, pepper and granulated garlic. Let them come up to room temperature.
In a large pot, add the tomatillos, jalapenos, serranos, 1/2 of the onion and 3 cloves of garlic. Cover with water and bring up to a boil ant medium heat. Cook ingredients just until tomatillos turn from bright green to opaque olive green. Cover the pot and remove from heat.
In a large heavy pot, add 3 tbsp of oil or lard. Preheat at medium for a few minutes.
Sear and brown the seasoned pork in the preheated oil, Turn as needed. You may need to sear in batches.
While pork browns, using tongs, transfer the tomatillos, chile peppers, onion and garlic that were cooked, into the blender. Pour in 4 cups of the cooking water. Add the fresh cilantro, salt and pepper, to taste. Blend on high until smooth. Set aside.
Once all the pork is browned well, add the remaining onion and garlic to the pork. Also stir in the cumin seeds, oregano and bay leaves. Sautee for a few minutes.
Pour in the reserved salsa from the blender. Stir well to combine, scraping off the bits from the bottom of the pan.
When it comes up to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Taste for salt. Cover 3/4 of the way and cook for 35-45 minutes or until pork is very tender.
Once pork is tender, fold in the previously cooked nopalitos. Stir to combine. Cover and continue cooking for another 15 minutes. Yields 6 servings.
Notes
This recipe can be prepared with beef short ribs, country style beef ribs or even chicken pieces.