Birria

Photo: flickr user jeffk

Ingredients

6 dried ancho chiles

10 dried guajillo chiles

4 cups water

14 garlic cloves

onions quartered

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

teaspoon ground ginger

tablespoon ground oregano

8 whls cloves

teaspoon ground allspice

1 cinnamon stick

3 thyme sprigs

4 bay leaves

1 tablespoon salt

2 tablespoons vinegar

1 banana leaf see * Note

1 tablespoon oil

pound leg of lamb cut 3" chunks

cup lard

Adobo Paste

pound fresh masa see * Note,

kneaded with

3 tablespoons warm water

5 lrgs tomatoes - (abt 3 lbs)

4 garlic cloves

onions chopped

1 teaspoon dried oregano

cup oil

1 gal chicken broth

Salt to taste

finely-chopped onions

1 cup finely-chopped cilantro

8 limes halved

Preparation

* Note: Fresh masa is available at the meat counter of Latino markets. Banana leaves are sold at Latino and Asian markets.

For the Adobo Paste: Roast ancho and guajillo chiles in dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and softened, about 5 minutes. Slice open and remove seeds and veins. Heat water in 6-quart saucepan over medium heat and add chiles. Simmer 20 minutes.

Drain chiles; reserve water. In blender or food processor, puree chiles, garlic, onions, cumin seeds, ginger, oregano, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, thyme, bay leaves, salt and vinegar in batches to form thick paste. If too thick, add a little cooking water.

For the Lamb: Cut banana leaf into 6 to 8 pieces small enough to fit into deep-sided roasting pan. Brush pieces with oil, stack and wrap them in foil. Roast at 425 degrees until leaf pieces are soft and pliable, 15 minutes.

Coat lamb with lard, making sure pieces are well covered. Let stand 30 minutes. Spread Adobo Paste over chunks, working it into lamb so all pieces are covered. Let stand 30 minutes.

Line bottom and sides of deep-sided roasting pan with most of roasted banana leaf pieces. Place lamb chunks on top. Cover with remaining leaf pieces.

Place foil on work surface and roll masa out so it's large enough to cover lamb and leaf pieces and just fit inside roasting pan. Lift foil and invert masa onto leaf pieces, then peel away foil. Cover pan with lid.

Fill shallow pan with water and place on lower oven rack so it will be beneath roasting pan. Bake lamb at 350 degrees until tender, 3 to 4 hours. Start checking lamb after 3 hours by carefully lifting edge of masa to remove meat chunk; if lamb is not tender, pack masa back around lamb and continue to cook, checking again after 10 to 15 minutes.

For the Soup: Place tomatoes in baking dish and roast at 425 degrees until tender and slightly charred, about 45 minutes. When tomatoes are cool enough to handle, blend tomatoes, garlic, onions and oregano in blender until smooth, in batches, if necessary.

Heat oil in large saucepan over high heat and cook tomato mixture 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add broth. Season to taste with salt, if necessary. Simmer soup 30 minutes to meld flavors.

For Assembly: Remove lamb from oven. Uncover and discard masa and leaves. Shred lamb with 2 forks while still hot. Drain pan juices and add to Soup.

To serve, divide shredded lamb among 10 to 12 soup bowls and pour Soup over. Garnish with onions, cilantro and limes.

This recipe yields 10 to 12 servings.