Braised Birria

Name: Braised Birria
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 4 ounces ancho chiles (about 10), seeds removed; 1 1/2 cup raw peanuts; 1 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds; 1 1 teaspoon black peppercorns; 1 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 1/4 disk Abuelita Mexican chocolate or 1 1/2 ounces dark chocolate; 1 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 5 pounds bone-in goat or lamb shoulder; 1 Kosher salt; 1 2 bay leaves; 1 2 chiles de árbol, seeds removed; 1 1/2 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes; 1 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 Chopped white onion, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and warm corn tortillas (for serving); 1 A spice mill or a mortar and pestle

From the kitchen of Carly

Tender goat or lamb shoulders braise low and slow in a complex ancho chile sauce enriched with toasted peanuts, warm spices, and a whisper of chocolate. The result is deeply savory, slightly sweet, and absolutely worth the wait.

Prep: n/a
Cook: n/a
Total: n/a
Servings: 4
Difficulty: medium

Ingredients

4 servings

14 ounces ancho chiles (about 10), seeds removed
11/2 cup raw peanuts
11 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
11 teaspoon black peppercorns
11 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
11/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11/4 disk Abuelita Mexican chocolate or 1 1/2 ounces dark chocolate
12 tablespoons vegetable oil
15 pounds bone-in goat or lamb shoulder
1Kosher salt
12 bay leaves
12 chiles de árbol, seeds removed
11/2 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes
14 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1Chopped white onion, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and warm corn tortillas (for serving)
1A spice mill or a mortar and pestle

Instructions

Preheat oven to 275°F. Bring ancho chiles and 4 cups water to a boil over medium-high. Remove from heat and let cool.
Meanwhile, toast peanuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 15–20 minutes. Let cool.
Toast cumin seeds and peppercorns in a dry small skillet, tossing occasionally, until very fragrant, about 2 minutes. Let cool, then finely grind in spice mill or with mortar and pestle with garlic powder and cinnamon.
Purée ancho chiles and soaking liquid, peanuts, spice mixture, and chocolate in a blender until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a Dutch oven or other large heavy pot, reserving any solids. Return solids in sieve to blender and add 3 cups water. Process until smooth and strain back into Dutch oven; discard any solids.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Season meat generously with salt. Cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 12–15 minutes total. Carefully add meat to Dutch oven and add bay leaves. Bring liquid to a simmer over medium-high. As soon as it just begins to bubble, lower heat, cover pan tightly with foil, then lid. Braise meat until meat shrinks off of bones and is fork-tender, 3–3 1/2 hours (check periodically to make sure liquid is at a gentle simmer).
Meanwhile, purée chiles de árbol, tomatoes, broth, and oregano in a clean blender until smooth. Strain through clean sieve into a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat; cook 10 minutes to let flavors meld. Season with salt; keep sauce warm.
Increase oven to 400°F. Let meat cool, uncovered, in braising liquid 30 minutes. Transfer meat to a rimmed baking sheet and roast until edges begin to brown, 13–17 minutes. Pull or slice meat into servings. Divide among shallow bowls along with tomato-chile sauce.
Serve meat with onion, cilantro, lime wedges, and tortillas alongside.