We traditionally serve this on Christmas Eve - its amazing comfort food! New Mexico Posole (stew) Ingredients 1 ½ pounds dried hominy (posole), soaked overnight in cold water 1 Red Chile Recipe (*see below) 2 pounds fresh pork belly, cut into 11/2 inch cubes 2 pounds pork shoulder, not too lean, cut in 2-inch chunks Salt and pepper 2 cloves garlic (chopped) (approximately 1/4 cup) 2 cups finely diced white onion Preparation Soak posole for 24 hours. Transfer to large soup pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Let simmer briskly for 1 hour. Season pork belly and pork shoulder generously with salt and pepper. After posole has cooked 1 hour, add pork shoulder, pork belly, onion, bay leaf, garlic, and cumin. enough water to cover by 2 inches, then return to a brisk simmer. While adding water occasionally and tasting broth for salt, simmer for about 2 1/2 hours more, until meat is tender and hominy grains have softened and burst. Skim fat from surface of broth. Stir in 1-2 cups red chile and simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with fresh tortillas and lime wedges. NM Red Chile (sauce) Ingredients 20 Dried Hot or X-Hot New Mexico Red Chile Pods 3 Tablespoons Manteca (Lard or Bacon Grease) 1/4 Cup Garlic (chopped finely) 2 Tablespoons Flour 1 Tablespoon Salt 3 Cups Water Instructions Remove all stems and seed from chile pods (leaving them will make chile taste bitter) Submerge red chile pods, then boil till they become soft. Strain water from red chile pods(some people like to use this water later in the process) Heat lard in large skillet on a high temperature Put softened red chile pods into hot grease Add garlic and flour Turn ingredients in skillet until flour has browned Transfer to blender, add salt, then blend on high setting for about 5 minutes Strain through sifter to remove any large pieces that didn’t blend and transfer to large pot Simmer at medium-low temp for 20-30 minutes Serve as a side or use to season your favorite New Mexican food!