Now Taking Requests.

When I invite people to dinner, I want to make sure they have a memorable experience. I want them to leave the house full, content,,, and even wanting the recipe. With new friends, I’m unsure about their tastes, likes and dislikes, so I send them to the “All the Recipes” section of Cocoa & Lavender and let them pick some options; my culinary version of “listener requests.”

For friends I know well, and as a challenge to me, I sometimes make the request. I urge them to ask for something they want that I haven’t yet made. Like today’s recipe for Posole Verde con Pollo; it was created when a friend requested it. I had never made it, nor had I even had it. But it was fun to put this recipe together, and it is now one of our favorites. Hearty, healthy, and happy-making. (I would hate to have broken the alliteration…)

~ David

31 Comments

  1. Fran @ G'day Souffle

    April 8, 2023 at 4:26 am

    Nothing more delicious that Pozole and yours certainly looks good! I actually included pig’s feet in making my Pozole sauce (to add a glutenous texture), but stopped short of adding the traditional pig’s head (couldn’t find one at the Mexican supermarket!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 8, 2023 at 11:53 am

      The first time I made posole, I made the very traditional version you mention. Today’s version is much simpler, and much more accessible. (Especially when speaking of ingredients like pigs head.)

      Reply
  2. Mad Dog

    April 8, 2023 at 6:32 am

    I would imagine you’ve had a few requests for that recipe in the past!

    Reply
  3. Mimi Rippee

    April 8, 2023 at 6:41 am

    I must be a very cynical person, although I didn’t think so. I dislike when people ask for recipes because 99% don’t actually cook and will never use your recipe. That’s my experience at least! But I like your idea to get recipe in put from new guests. I would hope that would be fun for them! This is great. Hominy is so interesting.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 8, 2023 at 11:52 am

      I know exactly what you mean. And sometimes I think the blog is proof of that! But every once in a while, I will hear back from someone that they made a recipe I shared with them, or one that I shared on the blog, and it makes my day. Truly, I enjoy telling people to look through the blog and pick their meal. It makes my life much easier! (Although, sometimes they choose the most elaborate dishes on the blog… That gets a little bit hard.)

      Reply
  4. Diana

    April 8, 2023 at 7:26 am

    I could taste this looking at the photo! Be still my beating heart.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 8, 2023 at 11:50 am

      Thanks, Diana! I hope you and Jeff had a good holiday weekend.

      Reply
  5. Peg Peterson

    April 8, 2023 at 8:20 am

    This recipe sounds fabulous. I have a couple posole recipes, one strictly made with beans and hominy. But I love the idea of the chicken can’t wait to try it! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 8, 2023 at 11:49 am

      Hi Peg. Before this, I only new versions made with pork. But my friend asked for a green version with chicken, so… I made it!

      Reply
  6. Eha

    April 8, 2023 at 5:10 pm

    *smile* A very happy Easter to you and Mark when it reaches you! Here it has blown in gale-force with the first angry ‘cold’ of the season. A good morning to have gone to ‘school’ as terms like ‘pozole’ and ‘hominy’ may have been heard but are unlikely to be familiar! So have spent a very illuminating half-hour with Mr Google and am now most ready to collect all your given ingredients and try . . . as usual you have plated the dish oh so appetizingly!!! In an ever more health-conscious Australia your dish also garnered a lot of kudos for its health benefits, so . . .

    Reply
  7. Susan Manfull

    April 9, 2023 at 5:28 am

    Another yummy recipe! We certainly make the recipes we request from you! Always with pleasure!

    Reply
  8. Gerlinde de Broekert

    April 10, 2023 at 7:40 pm

    I never made posole . You are such a great cook and always have the most interesting recipes.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 15, 2023 at 3:13 pm

      Thank you so much, Gerlinde. That just made my heart so happy! I’m sorry you’re having trouble posting comments, but I’m glad when they come through.

      Reply
  9. Valentina

    April 12, 2023 at 1:38 pm

    Okay, when I’m invited, I’m definitely requesting this recipe! (And your Buckeye cookies!) Seriously, this grabbed my attention the minute I saw it. So beautifully composed in the bowl, too. 🙂 ~Valentina

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 15, 2023 at 3:11 pm

      Well, you are always invited. It would be great if you could come to Tucson! One day, whether here, or there, we have to meet. And make posole together.

      Reply
  10. sherry

    April 13, 2023 at 12:46 am

    this looks so beautiful David and I bet tastes wonderful too. I love me a chicken thigh 🙂

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 15, 2023 at 3:10 pm

      I am on your side, Sherry. I love chicken breasts as I finally have much more flavor and stay moist her.

      Reply
  11. Pauline McNee

    April 13, 2023 at 3:56 pm

    Hominy sounds very interesting, not sure that I’ve seen it. What a brave approach to a dinner party David. I often like to cook something I have already made to take the pressure off and be on the safe side, but for very good friends I often experiment on them. This chicken dish looks really delicious, a lovely combination of flavours. What could I use instead of the hominy or corn? Apparently corn is really tough on the gut, so I try not to eat it. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 15, 2023 at 3:09 pm

      If corn is hard on the gut, I think common it would be even more so, Pauline. I think you might try diced, yellow squash or zucchini. I think they would go very well with this dish and keep in the spirit of New Mexican cuisine. Let me know if you try it, and what you think.

      Reply
  12. 2pots2cook

    April 14, 2023 at 4:04 am

    Oh boy; must look for hominy! This looks really great!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 15, 2023 at 3:08 pm

      I guess I never thought about how many being distinctly American. But I think it is… If you find it, let me know. I’d be curious to know how it is marketed Abroad.

      Reply
      • 2pots2cook

        April 26, 2023 at 3:20 am

        Amazon offers dry and canned version. Easier to get than I though, must say…. 🙂

        Reply
  13. Jeff the Chef

    April 16, 2023 at 9:33 am

    That is so funny! I have to confess that I’ve done the same sort of thing. Having friends over for dinner used to be such a regular occurance, but someow it did not survive the pandemic at my house. I did have a bbq and invited over a bunch of friend last summer. But that’s it! It used to be something I did so much more commonly.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 16, 2023 at 10:11 am

      We’ve been slowly getting back to entertaining again. It’s nice to see people and cook for them. I hope all your talents get shared once again.

      Reply
  14. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com

    April 16, 2023 at 11:20 am

    David, this sounds soooo good AND your presentation is sheer perfection! Unlike you, I haven’t been getting back into much entertaining yet. But I have a couple of people in mind this will be perfect for as soon as I do make a start.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 3, 2023 at 3:46 pm

      I really did miss entertaining, Jean. It’s been nice to do a little bit of it here in there, that we don’t do any large scale dinners anymore. I try to keep it to two people plus the two of us.

      Reply
  15. Marcelle

    April 21, 2023 at 8:12 am

    I’m feeling pretty certain that your dinner guests asked for this recipe! 😍Oh boy, does that look like a bowl of deliciousness to me! LOVE hominy too, so perfect for this. Wonderful, comforting recipe, David! 🥣

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 3, 2023 at 3:27 pm

      Thanks, Marcelle — this was requested, them requested again.

      Reply
  16. Raymund

    April 27, 2023 at 5:27 pm

    Hey David I love your idea of taking recipe requests from your guests. It’s a great way to ensure everyone enjoys the meal and feels satisfied. Your Posole Verde con Pollo recipe sounds amazing! I’m glad your friend’s request led to the creation of a new favorite dish.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 3, 2023 at 3:18 pm

      You know, Raymund, by taking requests, my life is much easier — this way, I know I will be making something they want!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.