Ringing in the New Year With Chef Elia's Pozole Soup

What better way to bring in the new year than good food and friends. We were treated to a feast of homemade Pozole Soup by Chef Elia on New Years eve. Pozole is a Mexican soup that traditionally is served on special occasions such as weddings, quinceañeras and holidays. The history of Pozole is rather unique. Luckily Chef Elia didn't follow the ancient recipe! One of the main ingredients is hominy (corn). Corn maize was a sacred plant for the Aztecs of Mexico. Pozole was made to be eaten only on ritualistic events. These ancient Americans believed the gods made humans out of masa which is cornmeal dough. On these special occasions, the meat used in the pozole was human. After the prisoners were killed by having their hearts torn out in a ritual sacrifice,the body was cut up and cooked with the cornmeal. The meal was then shared among the whole community as an act of religious communion. After the Spanish Conquest cannibalism was banned and pork or chicken became the staple meat used in Pozole. Thank you Elia for a superb more modern meal. God's love and blessings to all this upcoming year, chris