Basic Red Sauce
This smooth sauce has a gentle ancho flavor. It is a superb all-around tomato sauce, perfect for tacos and enchiladas.
Ingredients
- 8 ancho chiles
- 3 1/2 C warm water
- 1 med onion, chopped (about 1/2 C)
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/4 C oil
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 T dried oregano leaves
- 1 T cumin seed
- 1 t salt
Instructions
- Cover chiles with warm water.
- Let stand until softened, about 30 minutes.
- Drain.
- Strain liquid.
- Reserve.
- Remove stems, seeds and membranes from chiles.
- Cook and stir onion and garlic in oil in 2-quart saucepan until onion is tender.
- Stir in chiles, 2 cups reserved liquid and remaining ingredients.
- Heat to boiling.
- Reduce heat.
- Simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes.
- Cool.
- Pour into food processor or into blender container.
- Cover and process until smooth.
- Cover and refrigerate up to 10 days.