Pasilla Chile Salsa Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the lard or oil in a heavy skillet and cook the chilies until they change color, turning constantly and taking care not to burn.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Let cool then remove seeds and veins and puree in a blender with oil, vinegar, oregano and salt.
• Serve with cheese on top, or serve with cheese separate.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a heavy frying pan.
• Gently saute chiles, without burning, turning frequently until they are just firm to touch. About 5 minutes.
• Remove chiles with slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain.
• In same pan, fry tomatillos and garlic until lightly browned and soft inside. About 5 minutes.
• Remove from pan and drain on paper towels. (Do not discard oil yet).
• Peel the garlic when cool enough to touch.
• Place water in blender jar. Add the tomatillos and peeled garlic.
• Crumble the fried pasilla chilles and add them all, with seeds and veins, to blender.
• Blend all for about 30 seconds to a puree texture.
• Heat oil in frying pan again.
• Add onion and saute gently until translucent but not browned. About 1 minute.
• Add chile mixture from blender and salt.
• Cook over medium high heat, stirring frequently (scraping bottom of pan as needed), until sauce has reduced a little. About 5 minutes.

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.

Steps:

• Place tomatillos in a small saucepan, and add enough water to come about half of the way up. Cover, and cook over medium heat until tomatillos are soft, about 10 minutes. Strain, reserving liquid. Add enough water to the reserved liquid to make 1/2 cup.
• Meanwhile, heat a small heavy skillet or a comal over medium heat until hot. Add garlic to pan, and cook until soft and well charred on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes. Peel, and transfer to jar of a blender. Add chiles to pan, and toast for 2 minutes per side. Tear chiles into pieces, discarding stem; transfer to blender jar. To the blender, add cooking liquid and a large pinch of salt. Blend until smooth. Add tomatillos, and blend. Will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.