Basic Ancho Chile Puree Recipes

Steps:

• Soak the dried chiles in hot water for about 1 hour.
• Drain (but reserve a little of the soaking water), then pull the stem ends off and discard. The seeds can be discarded or blended with the chiles, depending on how spicy you want the purée to be. (I found it helpful to go ahead and chop/cut the chiles into smaller pieces prior to grinding/blending.).
• Blend the chiles in a food processor until smooth, adding a small amount of their soaking water if necessary (no more than 1/4 cup).
• Press the purée through a medium mesh strainer with a rubber spatula, leaving the leftover large pieces in the strainer. Discard large pieces.
• This will give you more chile puree than is needed for most recipes. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks or the freezer for up to 3 months. Freeze the puree in ice cube trays for easy measuring and future use.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a small saucepan over high heat. When it just starts to shimmer, add shallots, garlic and anchos. Lower heat and cook, stirring constantly, for about 4 minutes or until shallots, garlic, and anchos are lightly toasted.
• Add tomatoes, cilantro and serrano. Raise heat to medium and cook 2 minutes. Add stock. Lower heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Do not reduce. Pour into a blender and puree until smooth. Mix masa harina with enough cold water to make a paste. Then, with the motor running, add to the puree in the blender. Strain through a fine sieve and stir in lime juice, honey and salt.
• Keep warm until ready to use.

Steps:

• Put the ancho pods in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit for 30 minutes, then remove the stems and seeds and coarsely chop. Reserve the soaking liquid.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, peppers and ancho chiles and cook until the tomatoes soften and break down and the liquid thickens, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Let cool for about and carefully transfer the mixture to a food processor and process until smooth. Add the vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, to taste, and cilantro and pulse a few times just to combine. Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate until ready to use.

Steps:

• Heat oil to 375 degrees F. Fry potatoes, in batches and drain on paper towels. Immediately toss with ancho powder and salt.

Steps:

• Place chile in medium bowl. Pour enough boiling water over to cover; let soak until soft, about 30 minutes. Drain, reserving soaking liquid.
• Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, stirring often, about 4 minutes. Add tomato paste; stir 2 minutes. Add garlic and stir 30 seconds. Add wine and softened chile; simmer 2 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons reserved chile soaking liquid, ketchup, and all remaining ingredients. Simmer 3 minutes, stirring often. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
• Puree sauce in blender, adding more reserved soaking liquid by tablespoonfuls if too thick. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.
• * Available at many supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Latin markets.

Steps:

• Place the ancho chili in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until chili is soft, about 10 minutes. Remove the chili from the liquid. When cool enough to handle, stem the chili, split it open and scrape out the seeds.
• Meanwhile, place the squash in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until squash is tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well and place the squash in a food processor. Add the chili and the cumin and process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Season with the salt and cayenne, if desired. Divide among 4 plates and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Place chiles in bowl. Pour 2 cups boiling water over. Let soak until chiles are soft, about 20 minutes. Strain, reserving 1/2 cup soaking liquid. Seed chiles; place in processor. Add onion, garlic, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 cup soaking liquid; puree. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill.
• Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add chile puree; stir until slightly thickened, about 4 minutes. Add beans, broth, bay leaves, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Available at many supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Latin markets.