Posole (Mexican Pork Stew)

Fill a large 10-12 quart stockpot with 5 quarts of water. Bring to a boil. Remove and discard the stems and seeds from the chili pods. Heat a pan on medium high and lightly roast the chili pods for a couple minutes, until soft. Do not let them burn.

While the chilies are heating, bring a medium pot with 3 cups of water to a boil. Once the chilies have softened, submerge them in the pot with the 3 cups of hot water, cover the pot and remove from heat. Let the chilies soak in the hot water for 15 to 20 minutes.

Heat two tablespoons of olive oil (enough to coat the bottom of the pan) in a large sauté pan on medium high heat. Pat the pork pieces and sprinkle them generously with salt. Working in batches, taking care not to crowd the pan or stir the meat much, brown the meat on all sides. Right at the end of browning the meat, add 4 cloves of roughly chopped garlic to the pan with the meat, let cook with the meat for about a minute.

Once meat has browned, transfer it to the large stockpot of boiling water. Scrape up any browned bits from bottom of the pan, and any garlic, and add to the pot as well.

Add the hominy, bay leaves, cumin, and oregano. Add a tablespoon of salt. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat and cook for an additional 15 minutes.

Prepare the red sauce by puréeing in a blender the chilies, their soaking liquid, a teaspoon of salt, and 4 cloves of garlic. Strain the red sauce through a sieve, discarding the tough bits of the sauce. Add the red chili sauce to the pot with the pork and hominy. Add another couple teaspoons of of salt. Return to a simmer, lower the heat to just high enough to maintain a simmer, partially covered.

Cook for 2-2 1/2 hours until the pork is completely tender. Skim away excess fat. Taste for seasoning and add more salt to taste. Add more water if necessary.

Serve the pozole soup into bowls, arrange garnishes in bowls on the table, and slightly toast the with tostada shells.