Red Chile Sauce from chiles

The chiles that New Mexican's traditionally use for this basic sauce are the ones they pull off their ristras or strings of chiles. Ristras are not just used for decoration here, we eat these chiles throughout the year in a variety of dishes. This sauce can be used in a number of ways, as a topping for enchiladas and tacos, as a basis for stew, or anything that calls for a red sauce.

10 to 12 dried red New Mexican chiles, stems and seeds removed
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup water

Rinse off the chiles, place them in a pot and cover them with very hot water. Allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes to soften. Drain and discard the water.

Sauté the onion and garlic in the oil until they are soft.

Place all the ingredients, and the 1 cup of water, in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Strain the mixture, if desired, for a smooth sauce.

Yield: 2 and to 3 cups

Recipes

Biscochitos (Anise Seed Cookies)
Red Chile Sauce from chiles, not chile powder
Chile Colorado
(Basic Red Chile Sauce from a powder)
Green Chile Stew
Red chile pork tamales
Chiles Rellenos (Stuffed Green Chiles)
Batido para Chile Rellenos
(Batter for Stuffed Green Chiles)
Posole (Hominy Stew)
Huevos Rancheros (Ranch-style Eggs)
Sopaipillas De Levadura (Yeast Puffed Bread)