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Turkey Chile Verde

Turkey Chile Verde
  • Category

    Dinner

  • Cusine

    Mexican and Tex Mex, TexMex

What do you need?
How to make?

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs fresh green tomatillos

5 cloves garlic, peel ON

1 jalapeno, stems and seeds removed, chopped*

2 poblano chiles

1 bunch of cilantro, rinsed, roughly chopped, including stems

1 teaspoon salt

2 Tbsp lime juice

Pinch sugar

3 pounds boneless, skinless turkey thighs**

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 yellow onions, coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon cumin

3 garlic cloves, peeled, finely chopped

2 1/2 cups chicken stock

1 teaspoon chipotle powder

2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped

2 bay leaves

Pinch of ground cloves

Directions

Roast the poblano chiles over a gas burner or under a broiler, until blackened almost all over. Place chiles in a paper bag, close the bag, and let the chiles steam in their own heat for a few minutes. Remove the chiles from the bag, remove the charred skin, the stem and the seeds. . Slice the tomatillos in half and place cut-side-down on a roasting pan lined with aluminum foil. Toss the garlic cloves in with the tomatillos. Cook under a broiler until lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Let cool to the touch, then remove the garlic cloves from their skins.

Place tomatillos, garlic, jalapeño, poblanos, cilantro, salt, lime juice, and sugar in a blender. Start on a low speed and then increase the blender speed and purée until smooth. Set aside .

Cut the turkey thigh meat into 1 to 1 1/2 inch chunks, cutting away and discarding any tough gristly bits or big pieces of fat. Pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or high-sided sauté pan on medium high or high heat . Working in batches so as not to crowd the pan , sear the chunks of turkey on all sides . Remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl.

Add the chopped onion and the cumin to the pot, and cook, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the onions are translucent . Add the garlic, cook for 30 seconds more.

Return the turkey to the pot. Add the tomatillo sauce and the chicken stock. Add the chipotle powder, oregano, bay leaves, and ground clove. Add a teaspoon of salt, and a little freshly ground black pepper.

Bring to a simmer, and reduce heat to low , while the pot stays uncovered. Cook for 3 to 4 hours, uncovered, until the turkey is tender. If at some point you think that too much liquid is going to evaporate, cover the pan. Otherwise keep it uncovered. You want the sauce to become more concentrated. Adjust seasonings to taste. You may need to add more salt than you would expect. Serve in a bowl, with chopped fresh cilantro, and sides such as chopped avocado, thinly sliced lettuce that has been seasoned with vinegar and salt, sliced radishes, thinned sour cream or crema fresca, and with fresh heated tortillas or tortilla chips. Or serve with rice and beans, or wrapped up in a large flour tortilla, burrito style.