The Preacher's Wife's Chile Verde

There are so many things called "Chile Verde" that I hesitate to put that title here. Unfortunately that's what the preacher's wife from when I was in college called it. She's the origin of the recipe. Its a stew of beef, tomatoes and green chile that is best served over rice.

This stew is unique in its lack of onions and that there's cloves in there in such a small quantity that you love the taste but can't quite tell what it is. I usually make it with all beef.

If you use mild green chiles, as in canned green chile, it has no heat at all. You can use real green chile from New Mexico (or even roasted poblanos) instead to add a little heat. This isn't really a spicy dish.

Serves 6-8

Brown in small batches on all sides in the oil and reserve. You can use all beef or pork of some mixture:

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless beef chuck, 1 inch cubes (stew meat works fine)
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless pork shoulder, 1 inch cubes
• 3 Tbsp oil

In the pan drippings, saute until soft and reserve

• 1 med green bell pepper, cut into short strips
• 1 lg clove of garlic, chopped

In a 5 qt (large) pan combine

• 2 lg cans whole tomatoes including the liquid
• 1 can beef broth (about 3/4 c)
• 1 lg can (10 oz) green chiles chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/3 cup parsley (chopped fresh or about half that dried)
• 1/2 tsp white sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 c lemon juice
• salt

Bring tomato mixture to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. 

Add

• browned mean
• sauted vegetables

Cover and simmer for 2 hrs, stirring occasionally. Remove cover and simmer 45 min more until sauce is reduced to thickness you desire and meat is tender.

During this time prepare according to the package directions

• rice

Serve the stew in a bowl over rice.

Optional

You can, instead of using a large pan to cook the tomato mixture, use a crock pot (slow cooker). Add the ingredients and cook on high for about 4 hours until the meat is tender.

Note that a crock pot does not reduce the liquid as much but, served over rice, it still tastes wonderful.