Homemade Mexican Chorizo

1. Stage

Place chile peppers in a bowl and cover with hot water. Soak until softened, about 30 minutes.

2. Stage

Meanwhile, place pork butt and pork fat in the freezer for 30 minutes. Chill meat grinder in the freezer to make grinding the meat easier.

3. Stage

Grind allspice berries and cloves using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. Set aside.

4. Stage

Drain chile peppers and place in a food processor or blender. Add vinegar and puree until smooth.

5. Stage

Fit the chilled meat grinder with a medium plate. Pass the partially frozen pork and fat through the grinder. Combine ground meat with pureed chile peppers, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and cumin in a bowl. Mix well with your hands for 2 to 3 minutes. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour, or overnight.

6. Stage

Meanwhile, soak casing in cold water for about 30 minutes. Place the wide end of a small sausage-stuffing funnel up against the sink tap and run cold water through the inside of the casing.

7. Stage

Use the medium sausage-stuffing funnel attachment and place casing on the outside of the tube. Start passing meat mixture through the funnel, stopping just as it starts to come out the other end. Tie the casing into a knot at the end, then continue passing the meat mixture through the funnel, supporting the sausage with your other hand. Once the meat mixture is finished, tie the other end of the casing into a knot.

8. Stage

Twist the casing at regular intervals to create individual links, alternating between twisting in opposite directions. Poke 2 to 3 small holes into each sausage with a metal skewer to allow air to escape during cooking.

9. Stage

Cook as desired or chill in the fridge for up to 3 days.