Guajillo Chile Sauce Recipes

GUAJILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• With a damp paper towel, wipe off any dust on the peppers.
• Remove the stems, seeds, and veins of the guajillo peppers
• Add 4 cups water and the cleaned peppers to a stock pot.
• Put the lid on, and bring to a boil.
• Turn heat off, leaving the peppers inside.
• Wait for 5 minutes, or until the chiles are pliable.
• Discard the water.
• Rinse the pot and set aside until ready to use.
• To a blender, add the rehydrated peppers, garlic, onion, cumin, and salt.
• Add 2 cups water to the blender.
• Blend until smooth.
• Heat olive oil in the stock pot.
• Add a strainer over the stock pot.
• Carefully strain the sauce into the pot, using the back of a spoon.
• Be very careful. It can splatter.
• Bring to a simmer.
• Cook the sauce for 8-10 minutes.
• Stir occasionally.
• Taste for salt.

GUAJILLO CHILI SAUCE

Steps:

• Set a heavy ungreased skillet or griddle over medium heat, lay the unpeeled garlic on the hot surface and let it roast to a sweet mellowness, turning occasionally until soft when pressed, a few small spots will blacken, about 15 minutes. Cool, slip off skins and roughly chop.
• While the garlic is roasting break the stems off chilies, tear chilies open and remove seeds, for the mildest sauce remove all stringy light colored veins. Finish and remove garlic if you haven't done so. Toast the chilies a few at a time on your medium-hot skillet. Open them flat, lay them on the hot surface skin side up and press flat with a metal spatula (if the temperature is right you will hear a faint crackle), then flip them and do the same (If you press them just long enough they will have changed to a mottled tan underneath, a wisp of smoke is OK but any more than that then there burnt). Transfer chilies to a bowl and cover with hot water and let rehydrate for 30 minutes, pour off all water and discard.
• In a food processor or blender add chilies, garlic, oregano, pepper and cumin, add 2/3 cup of the broth and process to a smooth puree, scraping and stirring every few seconds (In a blender you may need to add a little more broth until everything is moving). With a rubber spatula, work the puree through a medium mesh strainer into a bowl, discard skins and seeds left in the strainer.
• Heat oil in a medium-sized pot (4 quart) over medium heat, when hot enough to make a drop of the puree sizzle sharply add the puree all at once. Cook stirring constantly, as the puree sears, reduces and darkens to an attractive earthy brick red paste, usually about 7 minutes, taste it: You'll know it is done when it has lost that harsh raw-chili edge.
• Stir in remaining 3 cups of broth, partially cover and simmer, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes. If the sauce has thickened past the consistency of a light cream soup, add more broth. Taste and season with salt and sugar - Salt to brighten and focus the flavors, sugar to smooth any rough or bitter chili edges.
• Covered and refrigerated the sauce will last about a week. If you freeze it you will need to re-boil it to bring back the lovely texture.
• Other chilies you can use - An equal amount of New Mexico chillies can replace the quajillo, the sauce will not be as full flavored; a chipotle or two adds complexity.

ANCHO-GUAJILLO CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat heavy large skillet over medium-high heat 2 minutes. Add all chile pieces; cook just until chiles blister, pressing with metal spatula and turning occasionally, about 30 seconds. Transfer chiles to bowl; add 5 cups very hot water. Soak chiles until very tender, pushing occasionally to submerge, about 30 minutes.
• Working in 3 batches, puree chiles with soaking liquid and all remaining ingredients in blender until smooth. Season sauce with more salt, if desired. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

GUAJILLO CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add chiles and toast on all sides until softened and fragrant. Remove seeds and stems, place in a large bowl, and cover with 1 cup hot water. Soak until soft, about 20 minutes. Drain chiles and let cool. Place chiles in the jar of a blender with 1 cup water and blend until pureed. Season with salt.

GUAJILLO CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Start 6-8 cups of water boiling.
• Put chilies in boiling water, turn heat to a slow simmer. Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Transfer chiles to a blender and discard water. Add garlic, cumin, oregano, Adobo Seco and chicken stock to blender with chilies and puree 45-60 seconds until smooth.
• Strain chili mixture into a large bowl. Use immediately or freeze for later.
• Makes 2 cups.

ENCHILADA CASSEROLE WITH RED GUAJILLO CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet, sprinkling in pepper and taco seasoning, until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Add onion, bell peppers, and carrots; saute for 5 minutes.
• Pour guajillo sauce into a large measuring cup and stir in sugar. Pour sauce over the beef mixture; stir in black beans.
• Place 3 tortillas on the bottom of a casserole dish. Add half the meat mixture on top. Sprinkle 1/2 of the shredded cheese on top. Repeat the layers, ending with cheese on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and golden brown, about 25 minutes.

GUAJILLO CHILE LIME SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients. Refrigerate when not using.