Healthy Family: Green Posole with Pork

Serves 8.

Note: Posole is a Mexican soup, so thick with tender pieces of shredded pork and earthy hominy swimming in tomatillo- and chile-flavored broth, it could easily be considered a stew. The hulled green pumpkin seeds this recipe uses are sometimes called pepitas. While some of the ingredients might be new, the flavors are so comforting it will soon be a family favorite. From Meredith Deeds.

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• 2 lb. lean pork tenderloin, cut into 1 1/2 in. slices

• 1 1/2 tsp. salt, divided

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 1 white onion, diced

• 1 tsp. dried oregano, crumbled

• 6 c. low-sodium chicken stock

• 1 lb. tomatillos, husked

• 1 serrano chile (use 3 or 4, if you like it hot)

• 1/2 c. hulled green pumpkin seeds, toasted (see Note)

• 2 (15-oz.) cans yellow or white hominy, rinsed and drained

• Avocado, diced

• Cilantro leaves

• Chopped sweet onion

• Lime wedges

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season the pork with 1 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Working in 2 batches so that you don't overcrowd the pan, brown the meat on both sides, about 4 minutes a side. Remove the meat as you brown it and set it on a plate.

Lower the heat to medium and add the onion to the pot. Cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and oregano and cook for another minute. Add the pork and chicken stock and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the pork is tender. Remove the pork from the broth and cool.

Meanwhile, place the tomatillos and chile in a small baking dish under a preheated broiler. Broil until the tomatillos and chile are blackened in spots, turn over and blacken in spots on the other side. Let them cool and remove the stems from both the tomatillos and chiles. Transfer to a blender with 1/2 cup of the liquid from the soup, and with the pumpkin seeds and cilantro. Blend until smooth.

When the pork is cool enough to handle, shred into bite-sized pieces.

Add the tomatillo-pumpkin seed mixture and the hominy to the pot and return to a gentle simmer over low heat. Cook for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Add the pork and remaining salt into the pot and cook for 5 minutes.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories300Fat12 gSodium830 mg

Carbohydrates20 gSaturated fat3 gCalcium39 mg

Protein30 gCholesterol48 mgDietary fiber4 g