Spicy Mole Pork Burritos

The Washington Post, April 9, 2008

• • Cuisine: Mexican
• • Course: Main Course

Summary:

Mike Briggs of Alexandria won a spot in the 2008 Pillsbury Bake-Off with these deeply flavorful burritos. He developed the recipe after tasting his first mole dish just last year during a business trip to Austin.

Brighten the plate by using green or red flour tortillas instead of the plain variety. Serve with tortilla chips.

8 servings

Ingredients:

• • 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• • 1 cup water
• • 1 small onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
• • 2 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped
• • 2 teaspoons chili powder
• • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• • 1/2 teaspoon salt
• • 1 chipotle chili pepper en adobo, finely chopped (1 pepper in sauce)
• • 2 tablespoons apricot preserves
• • 2 tablespoons chopped green chili peppers, drained (from a 4.5-ounce can)
• • 1/4 cup raisins
• • 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• • 2 tablespoons finely ground almonds
• • 1 pound lean ground pork
• • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• • 1 10-ounce can enchilada sauce
• • 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• • 8 8-inch flour tortillas
• • 8 ounces shredded low-fat sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups)
• • 1 1/2 cups sour cream, for garnish
• • Cilantro sprigs, for garnish

Directions:

Cook the rice in the water according to package directions. When it is ready, remove it from the heat.

Meanwhile, combine the onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Combine the chipotle chili pepper, preserves, chopped green chili peppers, raisins, cocoa powder and almonds in a separate small bowl.

Lightly grease a large skillet with nonstick cooking oil spray and place it over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add the pork and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no pink remains; drain.

Add the onion mixture to the skillet; reduce the heat to medium and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the preserves mixture, broth and enchilada sauce; increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes, until the mixture turns a rich mahogany color and is aromatic. Add the beans and cooked rice; cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Meanwhile, heat the tortillas according to package directions.

To assemble, spoon about 1/3 cup of the pork filling down center of each tortilla; there may be some filling left over (reserve for another use). Sprinkle the cheese over the filling of each burrito. Fold the sides of the tortilla toward the center, overlapping the edges.

To serve, place the burritos, folded sides down, on individual plates. Garnish each serving with dollops of sour cream and the cilantro. Serve warm.

Recipe Source:

From Mike Briggs of Alexandria.

455 calories, 19g fat, 7g saturated fat, 48mg cholesterol, 894mg sodium, 46g carbohydrates, 4g dietary fiber, n/a sugar, 25g protein.