MEXICAN RED CHILE SAUCE RECIPES

Steps:

• Rinse chiles and split open, discarding stems, seeds, and ribs.
• Heat a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over moderate heat, then toast chiles, skin sides up, in batches, about 30 seconds (be careful not to burn them, or sauce will be bitter). Transfer chiles as toasted to a heatproof bowl and pour boiling water over them. Cover bowl and soak chiles, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 15 minutes.
• Purée chiles with three fourths of soaking liquid, reserving remainder, in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Pour purée through a coarse sieve into a bowl, pressing on solids, and discard solids. Whisk reserved soaking liquid into chile mixture.
• Cook onion, garlic, cumin, and oregano in oil in a large heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring, 2 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Whisk in chile mixture and simmer, partially covered, whisking occasionally, until reduced to about 2 1/2 cups, about 30 minutes. Season with salt, vinegar, and sugar.

Steps:

• Toast the chiles in a hot pan until fragrant. (about 10 to 15 seconds per side)
• Allow chiles to cool and then remove stems, seeds, and veins.
• Char the onion, tomatoes, and garlic in a hot pan.
• Place the chiles, onion, tomatoes, garlic oregano and marjoram in a pot with just enough water until the ingredients are almost covered.
• Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low.
• Simmer for 15 minutes to reconstitute the chiles and soften the veggies.
• Blend the chiles, onion, tomatoes, garlic, oregano marjoram, and the soaking water until smooth. It usually takes about a minute.
• Add water little by little if necessary to blend. You may have to blend in two batches
• Strain the mixture.
• Add two tablespoons of cooking oil to a hot pan add the strained sauce to fry it.
• Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
• Add salt to taste.
• Allow the sauce to sit for at least 2 hours so that the flavors meld.
• Warm the sauce before serving.