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1
Prepare a medium heat fire (375F) in a wood-fired oven or cooker.
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2
When there are some hot embers in the fire, place the bell peppers and poblano chiles on the floor of the oven or grate of the cooker near the embers.
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3
Rotate them frequently as the skins blister and char.
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4
Cook until the skins are fully charred, 5 to 7 minutes for the poblanos and 10 minutes for the peppers.
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5
Place the poblanos and peppers in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let sweat for 10 minutes.
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6
Remove the skins from the poblanos and peppers, then slice open and remove the stems and seeds.
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7
Bring the vegetable stock to a simmer in a pot on the stove top or in the oven or cooker.
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8
Heat the olive oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven over high heat until just smoking.
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9
Add the onions, carrots, and celery and saute until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes.
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10
Add the bell peppers, poblanos, and salt and pepper to taste and saute for 1 minute.
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11
Add the drained beans and hominy to the pot.
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12
Pour in 4 cups of the stock.
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13
Cover and transfer to the oven.
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14
Heat a small cast-iron skillet over high heat on the stovetop or in the oven or cooker.
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15
Place the ancho chiles in the hot, dry pan and toast on both sides until fragrant and their color has darkened slightly, about 5 minutes.
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16
Remove from the pan and let cool, then slice open and remove the stems and seeds.
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17
In a small bowl, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and mash with a fork to form a paste.
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18
Set aside.
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19
After 30 minutes, stir the tomatoes, ancho chiles, roasted garlic, thyme, sage, and oregano into the pot with the beans.
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20
Add the sherry and more stock if needed to keep the beans covered.
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21
Cover and continue cooking for 40 minutes, checking the liquid level after 20 minutes and adding stock as needed.
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22
Uncover, add stock if needed, and cook for 15 minutes.
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23
Taste and adjust the seasoning.
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24
Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
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25
Serve in bowls topped with cilantro and Cumin Creme Fraiche.
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26
Combine the creme fraiche, cumin, zest, and juice in a bowl and stir to blend.
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27
Add salt to taste.