| 1 | lb | "nopales" (cactus paddles) |
| 1/2 | lb | Fresh tomatillos (about 6 medium); husked & washed |
| 1/2 | lb | Ripe Plum tomatoes (2 medium) |
| 8 | | Cloves garlic; unpeeled |
| 2 | | Small; fresh, hot green chiles (such as Serranos); stems removed |
| 1 | | Onion; cut in to 1/2" thick slices |
| 8 | c | Defatted reduced-sodium chicken stock |
| 8 | lg | Sprigs cilantro (oh no!) |
| 2 | sm | Sprigs "epazote" (optional) |
| 1/2 | sm | "hoja santa" -or- |
| 1/4 | ts | Ground aniseed |
| 1/2 | tb | Plus |
| 1/2 | ts | Vegetable oil |
| 1 | lb | Fresh Shiitake mushrooms; stems removed and caps sliced |
| | Salt to taste |
| 2 | | Dried "Chiles Pasillas"; stemmed; seeded and cut into 1/4" rings |
