Cooky Cat

Menudo

This is the Mexican recipe for the beloved “morning after” hangover cure, Menudo. It is a large dish, so make sure you know who your friends are and have them over some Saturday morning. Sunday morning, but only if they have gone to church first.

For the quintessential experience get on over to Guadelupe, Arizona any late Sunday morning after church. The Yaqui Native American and Hispanic community center has a social with some most delicious down home cookin'. There are also the most delectable tacos made with fry bread, your choice of fillings.

Menudo

Ingredients:

—3 lbs honeycomb tripe

—2 lbs pigs feet, cut in half, then 1-2 times across

—1 large onion, peeled and chopped

—*1 dried ancho chile, roasted, seeded, coarsely chopped (*optional, when used it’s Medudo Colorado)

—2 poblano chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped

—2-4 cups cooked hominy (if starting with dried hominy, 1-2 cups dried) Recipes vary on the amount, if any, hominy. Suit yourself. We recommend the smaller proportion.

—5 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped

—1 tablespoon oregano (Rub it!)

—5 peppercorns

—Water to cover

Preparation:

If starting with dry hominy: Soak in water overnight. In a pan cover with water and bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 2 hours.

Cut tripe into bite-size pieces and add into pot. Add pigs feet, onion, oregano, garlic and peppercorns. Cover with 2-3 inches of water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover. Simmer covered 2 hours. Add chiles and drained hominy, cook for an additional hour and then serve hot.

The cooking tripe has, well, an aroma. Best to vent the stove or even cook it outside. But, if outside, make sure the set up is secure so you don't accidentally cook a racoon or possum.

Garnishes:

Lime or lemon wedges
White onion finely chopped
Cilantro leaves, finely chopped

Crushed red chile pepper

Dried Mexican orgegano (Rub it!)

Accompaniments:

Warm tortillas, corn or wheat as you prefer

Guacomole
Salsa (Homemade, please!)
Radish wedges

Breakfast beer (serve it Mexican cowboy style, in tall glass filled with crushed ice)

Options:

Enrich the soup with cow foot, beef tendon, pork spare ribs, pig ears or tails. Go nuts.