Pasilla Chile And Tomato Sauce Recipes

Steps:

• Cut the chiles into pieces and submerge into a bowl of hot water to cover, and soak 20 minutes. Put the soaked chiles in a blender jar and discard the water. Add the vinegar, tomato sauce, onion, cumin seed, and peppercorns. Blend until smooth. (The sauce will be about as thick as ketchup.) Heat the oil in a small saucepan add the sauce and cook, stirring, 3 minutes to blend the flavors. Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature. Stir in the tomato, cilantro, and salt. Transfer to a medium bowl and serve. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Steps:

• 1. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the chiles, turning, until aromatic and slightly blistered. (Do not burn, or the chiles will be bitter.) Cut the chiles open and discard the seeds and veins. Submerge into a bowl of hot water to cover and soak 25 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in the same skillet and fry the tomatoes, onion, and garlic, stirring frequently, until starting to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a blender. 3. Drain the soaked chiles and add them to the blender with the oregano and thyme. Blend as smoothly as possible. 4. Pour the sauce through a strainer into a saucepan. Discard the bits of skin and debris left in the strainer. Add the salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 15 minutes to blend the flavors. If the sauce thickens too much, add a little water or heated chicken broth to reach the consistency of heavy cream. Serve warm or at room temperature. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Steps:

• Soak the pasillas in hot water to cover until they are quite soft, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, put the lard in a small saucepan over medium heat; a minute later, add the tomatoes, along with some salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 10 minutes.
• Drain the chiles and reserve some of their soaking liquid. Remove their stems and seeds; tear each into several pieces as you do so. Combine in a blender with the tomatoes, garlic, onion, and a little of the soaking liquid. Puree, adding more liquid if necessary to allow the machine to do its work. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then serve warm or refrigerate.