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1
In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp.
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2
Drain on paper towel and crumble.
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3
Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
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4
Drain all but 2 tbsp (25 mL) fat from pan.
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5
Add pork, in batches, and brown, about 3 minutes per batch.
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6
Transfer to a plate.
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7
Reduce heat to medium.
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8
Add onions to pan and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes.
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9
Add garlic, oregano, peppercorns and lime zest and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
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10
Add tomatoes with juice, stock, hominy and reserved pork and any accumulated juices and return to a boil.
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11
Reduce heat to low.
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12
Cover and simmer until pork is almost tender, for 1 1/2 hours.
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13
Stir in reserved bacon and poblano peppers.
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14
Meanwhile, in a heatproof bowl, soak ancho chiles in boiling water for 30 minutes, weighing down with a cup to keep submerged.
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15
Drain and discard soaking liquid and stems.
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16
Chop chiles coarsely.
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17
Transfer to a blender.
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18
Scoop out 1/2 cup (125 mL) cooking liquid from the pozole and add to blender along with lime juice, cilantro and chipotle pepper, if using.
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19
Puree and stir into pozole.
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20
Add salt to taste and continue cooking until pork is tender and flavors meld, about 30 minutes.
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21
To serve: Ladle into soup plates and top with the garnishes of your choice.
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22
Season to taste with lime juice.
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23
Slow Cooker Method:
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24
Complete Steps 1 and 2, reducing the quantity of chicken stock to 1 1/2 cups (375 mL).
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25
Cover and cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours or on High for 4 to 5 hours, until pork is tender.
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26
Stir in reserved bacon, poblano pepper and ancho chile mixture and adjust seasoning.
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27
Cover and cook on High for 30 minutes, until peppers are tender.