Mexican Villa Enchilada Sauce Recipes

AUTHENTIC ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• Start with that all important step: Roasting! Heat a heavy non-stick skillet (I like to use cast iron) over medium-high heat. Don't add any oil. Lay the dried peppers on the skillet and toast them for a minute or two on each, just until they become very fragrant. It's better to under-toast than to over-toast them as they will become very bitter if scorched. Remove and set aside. Next place the onion, garlic and tomatoes on the skillet and toast until lightly browned.
• Remove the stems from the peppers (using gloves if you're using hot peppers), slice the peppers open and remove and discard all of the seeds and the membranes (contrary to popular belief, it's the membranes not the seeds that are hot, the seeds are bitter). Place the peppers in a bowl.Pour the boiling water over the peppers, cover the bowl and let them sit for 20-30 minutes until soft.
• Place the peppers and their liquid along with the onion, tomato, garlic and all remaining ingredients (except for the chocolate if using) in a blender and blend until completely smooth.Note: At this point determine for yourself whether your sauce needs to be strained. I use a Vitamix blender which does an excellent job of blending the sauce to a very smooth puree, so I don't bother straining it.
• Time to cook the sauce: Heat a tablespoon or so of oil to a pot then add red sauce. Simmer it uncovered for about 30 minutes. Add a little more water if you prefer it thinner. The sauce should be the thickness of heavy cream.Optional: For an added flavor touch, add a small piece of semi-sweet chocolate at the end and stir until melted.If the sauce is very bitter, add a touch of brown sugar. SEE NOTE.
• Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for several months. I like to freeze about a cup of it per freezer bag so I can conveniently grab a bag as needed.Makes approx. 5-6 cups.

MEXICAN VILLA ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• In large skillet on low heat, mix 1 ½ sticks butter with four. Make a roux from this, stirring occasionally, do NOT brown, if too runny add more flour.
• In a large pot combine 6 cups water, 7-8 boullion cubes. Bring this mixture to a boil then add chili seasoning. Can cut down chili seasoning to 1 and 1/2 pkgs if you would like, depending on taste preference.
• Add this liquid combo to the cooked flour, stirring till smooth. Make enchiladas. Pour sauce on bottom of enchilada pan and on top of enchiladas.

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN ENCHILADAS

Steps:

• Snap the tops off of the dried chilies, and place in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain the water, and place chilies into a food processor or blender with the garlic and salt. Puree until smooth. Press sauce through a strainer, and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Soak each tortilla in the sauce, then place in the hot oil. Turn over almost immediately, and fry for about 5 seconds on the other side. Remove to a plate that is lined with paper towels. The easiest way to do this is to fry the tortillas and stack them directly on top of each other until you have fried them all. This will keep the tortillas pliable until you are ready to fill them.
• Take one fried tortilla at a time, and fill with about 2 tablespoons of the queso fresco. Roll up, and place seam side down on a plate. Place three of these on each plate. Top in the following order: Start with a layer of sour cream, then a small handful of lettuce, three tomato slices, 2 more tablespoons of queso fresco, and finally, 1 tablespoon of green onions.

MEXICAN ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all dry ingredients in a small bowl.
• Stirring constantly, slowly add enough of the water to make a thin paste.
• Pour into pan and add rest of water.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens.
• Stir in tomato sauce.
• Use in your favorite enchilada recipe.
• The amounts on the ingredients are very flexible.
• For instance, if I am feeding my kids who do not like"spicy", I will halve the chili powder and double the tomato sauce.
• Experiment to suit your taste, but don't leave out the cocoa.
• For a quick meal, we will soften a corn tortilla in a bit of hot oil, drag it through the sauce, and lay it flat on a plate.
• cover it with grated cheddar cheese, sprinkle with chopped onions and sliced black olives.
• Then cover with another softened sauced tortilla and melt the cheese in the microwave for 1 minute on high.

MEXICAN GRAVY OR ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large frying pan, melt the butter.
• While that's melting, mix the dry ingredients, then slowly add them to the melted butter, stirring CONSTANTLY.
• Gradually add the broth (there will be some sizzling & hissing), stir until smooth; when it begins to bubble, add the tomato sauce.
• This will be thick and is ready to use now or can be transferred to a crock-pot to keep it warm.
• Use "as is" or add to other recipes.