Saint Charles Mesa Sun-Kissed Chili

Made from the famous Pueblo, Colorado chiles grown on farms in the fertile and sun-kissed Saint Charles Mesa, this pork chili can be made from medium-hot to con fuego! These chiles are comparable to mild jalapenos or can be much hotter than cayenne peppers. Choose your peppers carefully for the heat you can handle! Our family's favorite ways to eat this include: with warmed tortillas, over rice, topped with tomatoes, sour cream and avocado, or smothered tamales (steam any type of tamales separately, unwrap, and pour chili on top).

• Preparation Time: 35 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 51 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr 26 mins
• Calories: 183 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 onion, chopped
• ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried cilantro
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• ½ teaspoon fennel seed
• 2 pounds pork loin
• 2 teaspoons cold water
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 ½ tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice
• 5 cups chicken broth, divided
• 1 tablespoon potato starch
• ½ teaspoon garlic and herb seasoning
• ½ cup rose wine
• 4 large red and green Pueblo chile peppers
• 6 tomatillos, husked and halved

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Mix cumin, coriander, cilantro, garlic herb seasoning, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, and fennel in a bowl to make seasoning mixture. Rub 2/3 of the seasoning mixture over pork loin.

Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a stovetop pressure cooker over medium heat. Add pork loin; cook until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

Step 3

Pour 2 cups chicken broth and rose wine into the pressure cooker. Bring to a boil, scraping the bottom to loosen browned bits. Return pork loin to the cooker. Cover and bring to high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions. Reduce heat to low and cook, about 1 hour.

Step 4

Release pressure carefully according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer pork loin to a cutting board; let cool.

Step 5

Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; place chile peppers on top.

Step 6

Roast until peppers are blackened and blistered, 5 to 8 minutes. Place in a bowl and seal with plastic wrap. Allow peppers to cool, about 20 minutes. Stem, peel, and seed the peppers; dice.

Step 7

Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Add some tomatillos in a single layer; cook, turning occasionally, until softened and skins are blistered, 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat with remaining tomatillos. Dice tomatillos.

Step 8

Combine 1/2 of the tomatillos and 1/2 of the roasted peppers in a food processor; puree until smooth.

Step 9

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Step 10

Shred pork loin with 2 forks; add to the pressure cooker. Stir in remaining 3 cups chicken broth, diced peppers, diced tomatillos, tomatillo-pepper puree, onion mixture, and diced tomatoes. Add remaining seasoning mixture, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil; cover.

Step 11

Bring to high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions. Reduce heat and cook for 20 minutes. Release pressure according to manufacturer's instructions.

Step 12

Mix potato starch and cold water in a small bowl until dissolved. Pour into the pressure cooker, stirring well to incorporate thoroughly.