Chile Verde con Carne (Green Chile with Meat)

This is my personal recipe that I have made for years. It's always a hit. I hope you enjoy it.

4-5 Pounds Pork shoulder or Beef (chuck or sirloin)
20-25 Green chilies, roasted and peeled
3-5 Garlic cloves, minced
1 Medium onion, medium dice
½ -1 Can of Stewed tomatoes, preferably Mexican style
2 Cups of Broth - Add water to cover the meat (See Notes)
¼ TSP of Cumin (Comino)
¼ TSP of Mexican oregano (do not use Italian oregano!)
Salt & Pepper to taste.

1. Brown the meat on medium-high heat, in vegetable oil, in batches if needed, (I use a cast iron Dutch Oven).
2. Return all the meat to the pot and add the garlic and onions, season with salt & pepper, cook for about ten minutes. 3. Add all the remaining ingredients, making sure the broth covers the meat, add a little water if needed. Bring it to a boil, cover and lower the flame and let the meat simmer for 1 ½ hrs, stirring occasionally. Reseason with salt as needed. If the chile is to watery, raise the heat and let it boil uncovered for a few minutes.

NOTES: 1. Use New Mexico green chiles if at all possible. If you do use California Anaheims add half as much hot yellow chilies ( Chile Gueritos), also roasted and peeled. 2. An alternative to cubed beef is to have your butcher give the meat a “Chili Grind”. You can also roast your pork with onions and garlic for about two hours at 350 degrees and then chop and shred the meat, then shorten the cooking time to one hour. Use chicken broth with pork, beef broth with beef. 3. Mexican Tomatillos can be used instead tomatoes. Tomatoes are strictly optional. Sometimes I leave them out for a pure green chile taste.

Roasting the Green Chilies

Roasting green chilies is not as hard as it might seem. I prefer roasting them on a BBQ grill over hot coals, charring the skins throughout the chile. It just takes a few minutes, so be careful. Whether using a grill or a stove top burner, or the broiler , the process remains the same; keep an eye on your chilies, and with a pair tongs turn them frequently to ensure that the chilies roast evenly. As they blacken place them in brown shopping bag or a clean, thick towel and let them steam for about thirty minutes. When they cool you can either peel the skins and use them immediately or freeze them. If you do freeze them leave the skin on, the chilies seem to hold up better. When you do thaw them out, peel the skin before they thaw completely. The skin comes off easier. Whatever you do do not remove the seeds. They are a large part of the green chile flavor

Chicano

Many newer Mexican immigrants are mistakenly called Chicanos, but the term Chicano literally refers to their American status. It was used as a pejorative in the early part of the last century by Mexicans against Mexican Americans, but soon became a badge of honor. The term Chicano quietly faded away but was resurrected for a short time in the forties during the Zootsuit era, and then emerged with a much stronger image in the sixties during the Chicano movement when young Mexican Americans were trying to find their place in American Society.

For the most part Chicanos have been very successful in realizing the American dream, becoming homeowners, small and large business owners, and politicians, authors and entertainers, both in acting and music, and serving with distinction in all branches of the military unmatched by any other ethnic group in the country, garnering more medals of honors than any other group. and in the world of boxing truly a force to be reckoned with. During the last half of the 20th century Chicanos have started migrating to many different states and have found it in themselves to stake their claim in this country. 

All chicanos are Mexican American, but not all Mexican Americans are Chicanos. Being Chicano is at its core, a state of mind. Some Mexican Americans shy away from the term. A Chicano at his very core is a rebel, someone who absolutely will not back down in any situation, which is both a blessing and a curse, but it is motivated by his desire to succeed in this country, despite the many obstacles. Perhaps the only other groups of Americans that could understand what being a Chicano is , would be Southerners, who after the Civil War, suffered prejudice and cruelty and scorn from Northerners, and remained rebels at heart, even to this day. The other group of course is the Irish, who have been who have been rebelling since time immemorial.

Chicanos and Mexican Americans in general, are unique and distinct from any other group that has migrated to America. We are the only people to have become citizens through annexation, and suddenly become foreigners in their own homeland. But still we persevere and seek the American dream. So as you can see, we are not illegal immigrants, we are Americans just like you. In fact blaming Chicanos for illegal immigration, is like being angry at Cajuns because of France's stance on the war. Chicanos and illegal immigrants are two separate issues. We can read and write and speak English quite well.

My BitterSweet Christmas

The songs of Christmas and my grandchildren’s laughter
Bring joy to my heart and cause me to remember
Of a long ago time, a time now long gone
When I was young and awaited the promise of Christmas and December

How simple those days were, with both Mother and Father
With my sister and little brother, life was so carefree
Now she is estranged and he is busy with a family of his own
I remember, once upon a time, when we played beneath the Christmas tree

I remember too, when I was a young father, with a wife of my own
How we struggled back then, in the years past
To give our children, Deedee, Lori, Meranda, Andrew and Savannah
A Christmas of their own, and memories of their family that will always last

And so, my wife and I enter the beginning of our winter years
We are grandparents now, older, somewhat wiser, steadier and grayer
McKayla, Mariah, Sidney, Nathan, Trevor and Maddie
God has blessed us with grandchildren, one of them an Angel, always in our prayers

Yes, the songs of Christmas and my grandchildren’s laughter
Bring joy to my heart and cause me to remember
Of a long ago time, a time now long gone
When I was young and awaited the promise of Christmas and December



Randy James De La O