Chilly and Chili

As usual, I am leaving wintery New York to go back to California for the holidays. I'll be home for extra long this time, until the 7th, because yes I am still unemployed.

As a parting gift, New York dumped a couple feet of snow this weekend. B and I went out on Saturday night, amidst the blizzard, to romp and roll in the snow. Slightly underdressed, I became quite ornery quite quickly, but it was a thrill while it lasted.

The best part? We came back home, wet with melted snow and cold to our bones, to find the magical elves had miraculously finished our pot of Green Pork Chili. er, Stew. Chili? Whatever it was, yummmmmm.

GREEN PORK CHILI w/ TOMATOES
(adapted from Epicurious recipe)

Ingredients:
8 Poblano peppers

2.5 pounds pork butt strips, trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large onion, chopped
2 leeks, cleaned and sliced
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp paprika
5 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
3 small vine tomatoes

Char chilies over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag; let stand 10 minutes. Peel and seed chilies. Cut into 1-inch pieces.

Place pork in large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add flour and toss to coat. Heat 4 tablespoons oil in heavy large wide pot over high heat. Working in batches and adding more oil as needed, cook pork until brown on all sides, about 6 minutes per batch. Using slotted spoon, transfer pork to large bowl.

Reduce heat to medium. Add onions and leeks to same pot and stir until tender, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, cumin, allspice, and paprika; stir 2 minutes. Return pork and any accumulated juices to pot; add stock, chilies and tomatoes with juices and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer on LOW uncovered until chili thickens and meat is very tender, stirring occasionally, about 2 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper.