Instant Pot Ancho Chile Sauce 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.

INSTANT-POT RED CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

Steps:

• Pressure cook the chicken:
• Put the chicken thighs in the Instant Pot. Pour in the ancho chile sauce. Lock the lid into place. Select Manual; adjust the pressure to High and the time to 10 minutes. After cooking, naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Unlock and remove the lid. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and let it cool for a few minutes. Keep the sauce warm.
• Prepare the filling:
• When the chicken is just cool enough to handle, cut or pull it into bite-size chunks. Mix in about 2/3 cup of the warm sauce; the chicken should be well coated with sauce but not drowning. Put the onion in a small bowl.
• Prepare the tortillas.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place 6 tortillas on a baking sheet in a single layer. Brush the tortillas lightly with the oil (or spray with cooking spray), then turn them over and repeat on the other side. Bake just until the tortillas are warm and pliable, about 3 minutes. Remove from the oven and place the tortillas in a stack on a plate. Cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining 6 tortillas. (If you have two baking sheets, you can heat them all at once.) Leave the oven on.
• Make the enchiladas:
• Spoon about 1/2 cup warm sauce into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Place one tortilla in the sauce and flip it so it's lightly coated on both sides, then place a couple of tablespoons of chicken and a couple of teaspoons of chopped onion on the tortilla.
• For Mexican-American-style enchiladas: Sprinkle a tablespoon of shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the chicken and onion.
• Finish the enchiladas:
• Roll the tortilla up and place it at the end of the dish, seam-side down. Repeat with the remaining tortillas. When all the enchiladas are filled and rolled, pour enough sauce over them to just cover them (they should not be swimming in sauce).
• For Mexican-American-style enchiladas: Sprinkle the rest of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the enchiladas.
• Bake the enchiladas:
• Bake until warmed through, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle the queso fresco over the enchiladas and serve.

ANCHO CHILE SAUCE RECIPE

Steps:

• Hydrate dried peppers. Place the dried chiles in a medium-sized sauce pot and add just enough water to cover them. Bring the water to a boil, and then cover the pot and and turn off the heat. Let the chiles hydrate in the hot water until they're soft, at least 20 minutes.
• Prep peppers. Remove the chiles from the pot. Use your hands or a paring knife to gently remove the stems and seeds. Add the hydrated chiles to the blender. (If you're very sensitive to the heat, I suggest wearing cooking gloves.) Remove 1 cup of the hydrating liquid from the pot and pour it in the blender. (Do not throw out remaining liquid as you can use it as a stock in other recipes.)
• Add remaining ingredients to blender and blend. Add the stock, sugar, garlic, spices, salt and pepper to the blender. Purée in the blender until the mixture is as smooth as possible. Season to taste with salt and sugar if necessary. (Here's how.)
• Use or store. Stir in the oil and it's ready to use. Or, pour the sauce into a storage container with a tight sealing lid, and place in the refrigerator, where it should keep for at least 3 weeks.

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 saute 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. May be made 3 days ahead; cover and chill.

INSTANT-POT ANCHO CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare the chiles:
• Pull or cut off the stems from the chiles and remove as many seeds as possible. Put the chiles in the Instant Pot. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands after handling the chiles.
• Pressure cook:
• Add the garlic, water, salt, sugar, oregano, and cumin to the Instant Pot. Lock the lid into place. Select Manual; adjust the pressure to High and the time to 8 minutes. After cooking, naturally release the pressure for 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Unlock and remove the lid.
• Finish the sauce:
• Pour the sauce into a blender. Add the vinegar and blend until smooth, being careful to hold the lid on. Use immediately, or store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month.