Chile Raisin Enchilada Sauce Food

AUTHENTIC ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• Start with that all important step: Roasting! Heat a heavy non-stick skillet (I like to use cast iron) over medium-high heat. Don't add any oil. Lay the dried peppers on the skillet and toast them for a minute or two on each, just until they become very fragrant. It's better to under-toast than to over-toast them as they will become very bitter if scorched. Remove and set aside. Next place the onion, garlic and tomatoes on the skillet and toast until lightly browned.
• Remove the stems from the peppers (using gloves if you're using hot peppers), slice the peppers open and remove and discard all of the seeds and the membranes (contrary to popular belief, it's the membranes not the seeds that are hot, the seeds are bitter). Place the peppers in a bowl.Pour the boiling water over the peppers, cover the bowl and let them sit for 20-30 minutes until soft.
• Place the peppers and their liquid along with the onion, tomato, garlic and all remaining ingredients (except for the chocolate if using) in a blender and blend until completely smooth.Note: At this point determine for yourself whether your sauce needs to be strained. I use a Vitamix blender which does an excellent job of blending the sauce to a very smooth puree, so I don't bother straining it.
• Time to cook the sauce: Heat a tablespoon or so of oil to a pot then add red sauce. Simmer it uncovered for about 30 minutes. Add a little more water if you prefer it thinner. The sauce should be the thickness of heavy cream.Optional: For an added flavor touch, add a small piece of semi-sweet chocolate at the end and stir until melted.If the sauce is very bitter, add a touch of brown sugar. SEE NOTE.
• Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for several months. I like to freeze about a cup of it per freezer bag so I can conveniently grab a bag as needed.Makes approx. 5-6 cups.

HOMEMADE RED ENCHILADA SAUCE RECIPE

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.

ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut chiles in half lengthwise; remove and discard seeds and any ribs. Set aside. In a small saucepan, bring chicken stock and the water to a simmer. Add chiles; simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Set aside. Fill a medium saucepan with water; bring to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice and water; set aside. Cut an X in tomato bottoms; add to boiling water one at a time. Simmer until skin begins to peel. Transfer tomatoes to ice bath immediately; cool. When cool, peel and discard skins; chop, and set aside.
• Place poblano pepper directly onto the trivet of a gas stove over high heat. Turn pepper with tongs as each side blackens. (You may also place peppers on a baking pan and broil in the oven, turning as each side becomes charred.) Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let steam for about 15 minutes. Peel off blackened skin; discard. Cut pepper in half; discard seeds. Roughly chop pepper, and set aside along with any juices that have collected in the bowl.
• Heat olive oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add onion, scallions, and garlic; saute until translucent, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, red chiles and liquid, poblanos and liquid, cumin, oregano, and salt. Stir to combine. Simmer gently for 15 minutes. Transfer to the jar of a blender or a food processor; puree until smooth. Return to pan; keep hot if assembling enchiladas, or refrigerate up to 4 days.

RED CHILE OR ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove stems and seeds from dried chiles, and break chiles into smaller pieces.
• Place chiles in a blender cup with garlic, and cover with boiling water. Let stand for 30 minutes to an hour.
• In the mean time in a heavy sauce pan use the lard and flour to make a roux, and let cook for a couple of minutes to remove any raw taste.
• When the chiles have rehydrated, blend on "liquify' until smooth.
• Add to sauce pan with oregano,cumin,and salt. Simmer for 15 minutes.
• If you can make this a few hours, or a day, ahead it is even better.