Ancho Pasilla Sauce Recipes

ANCHO PASILLA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a dry griddle or heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and toast chilies, 1 or 2 at a time, pressing down with tongs, a few seconds on each side to make more pliable. Wearing rubber gloves, remove stems, seeds, and veins. In a blender purée chilies with remaining ingredients until completely smooth. Sauce may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered.

PASILLA CHILI SAUCE (AUTHENTIC MEXICAN SALSA)

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.

GRILLED SHRIMP WITH ANCHO PASILLA SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak skewers in water at least 30 minutes and up to several hours.
• Shell and devein shrimp. Holding 2 skewers parallel and slightly apart, thread 6 shrimp onto them (this will facilitate turning them on the grill). Thread remaining shrimp onto pairs of skewers in same manner. Brush both sides of shrimp with ancho pasilla sauce and discard any remaining sauce. Marinate shrimp, covered and chilled, at least 30 minutes and up to 6 hours.
• Prepare grill.
• Grill shrimp on a well-oiled rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals 2 minutes on each side, or until just cooked through. (Alternatively, shrimp may be broiled on rack of a broiler pan under a preheated broiler about 3 inches from heat 3 to 4 minutes on each side.)
• Remove shrimp from skewers and serve with accompaniments.

AUTHENTIC ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place chile peppers on a cookie sheet and roast in the oven until slightly toasted. (Note: When you can smell them, they're done.)
• Remove from the oven and slit them open. Remove the seeds and veins, then put them in a bowl with boiling water to cover. Allow them to sit for 30 minutes, then remove them from the water, reserving the water. Scrape the pulp from the insides of the chile peppers and discard the skins. (Note: The skins will give the mixture a bitter flavor.) Return the pulp to the water and set aside for later.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute the garlic and onion in the butter or margarine for 5 minutes, or until onion is tender. Add the flour and mix well. Add the stock, stirring until thickened, and then add the reserved chile pulp mixture. Finally, add the oregano and the cumin.
• In a blender or food processor, puree the mixture until smooth. Season with salt to taste.