Basic Ancho Chile Puree Recipes

ANCHO CHILI SAUCE - RECIPE

Steps:

• Dry roast the ancho peppers on a hot pan about 1-2 minutes per side. The peppers will puff slightly and the skins will begin to turn red.
• Set them into a large pot of boiling water and remove from heat. Let them soak covered in water for 30 minutes.
• Remove the stems and coarsely chop the anchos. Reserve the soaking liquid.
• Set the chopped anchos into a food processor.
• Heat the oil in a pan to medium heat and add the onion. Cook about 5 minutes to soften.
• Add the garlic and tomato and cook another minute or so, until you can smell the garlic. Add them to the food processor.
• Add the vinegar, cumin, oregano and a bit of salt and pepper along with about 1 cup of the soaking liquid. Process until it smooths out.
• The sauce will be thick at this point. You can add more soaking liquid to achieve your desired consistency.
• Give it a taste. You can adjust with salt and pepper and this point, and if you feel it needs a touch of sweetness, add the honey and process a bit more.
• Press the sauce through a coarse strainer into a bowl. I use a wooden spoon to push it through.
• Store in the fridge in an airtight container.
• As a tasty variation, add up to 15 ounces (1 can) of tomato sauce while cooking, or after you strain the ancho chili sauce to simmer. It makes for an outstanding final sauce. Or, swirl in anywhere from 1 tablespoon to a cup of the ancho chili sauce to tomato sauce to liven up any dish.

SPICE-RUBBED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH ANCHO CHILE MUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Combine chicken stock, apple juice, peppercorns, chipotle and ancho puree in a medium saucepan over high heat and reduce to a sauce consistency. Whisk in mustard and creme fraiche and cook for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Combine the butter, thyme, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a food processor until smooth. Place a sheet of parchment paper or waxed paper on a work surface. Arrange the butter along one long side and form into a roll about 1-inch in diameter, leaving a 1-inch border of paper. Roll up the butter in the paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Dredge the tenderloin in the spice rub mixture and pat off any excess. Heat olive oil in medium oven-proof skillet until almost smoking. Add the pork tenderloin and sear well on all sides. Place the pan in the oven and continue cooking to medium-well, about 8 to 10 minutes. Let rest and slice into 1-inch pieces on the diagonal. Spoon sauce onto a platter and top with the slices of pork.

ANCHO-RED PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Put the ancho pods in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit for 30 minutes, then remove the stems and seeds and coarsely chop. Reserve the soaking liquid.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, peppers and ancho chiles and cook until the tomatoes soften and break down and the liquid thickens, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Let cool for about and carefully transfer the mixture to a food processor and process until smooth. Add the vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, to taste, and cilantro and pulse a few times just to combine. Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate until ready to use.

ANCHO CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Place chile in medium bowl. Pour enough boiling water over to cover; let soak until soft, about 30 minutes. Drain, reserving soaking liquid.
• Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, stirring often, about 4 minutes. Add tomato paste; stir 2 minutes. Add garlic and stir 30 seconds. Add wine and softened chile; simmer 2 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons reserved chile soaking liquid, ketchup, and all remaining ingredients. Simmer 3 minutes, stirring often. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
• Puree sauce in blender, adding more reserved soaking liquid by tablespoonfuls if too thick. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.
• * Available at many supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Latin markets.

BUTTERNUT-SQUASH-AND-ANCHO-CHILI PUREE

Steps:

• Place the ancho chili in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until chili is soft, about 10 minutes. Remove the chili from the liquid. When cool enough to handle, stem the chili, split it open and scrape out the seeds.
• Meanwhile, place the squash in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until squash is tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well and place the squash in a food processor. Add the chili and the cumin and process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Season with the salt and cayenne, if desired. Divide among 4 plates and serve immediately.