Mexican Enchilada Sauce Recipes

HOMEMADE ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• This sauce comes together quickly once you get started, so measure the dry ingredients (the flour, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt and optional cinnamon) into a small bowl and place it near the stove. Place the tomato paste and broth near the stove as well.
• In a medium-sized pot over medium heat, warm the oil until it's hot enough that a light sprinkle of the flour/spice mixture sizzles on contact. This might take a couple of minutes, so be patient and don't step away from the stove!
• Once it's ready, pour in the flour and spice mixture. While whisking constantly, cook until fragrant and slightly deepened in color, about 1 minute. Whisk the tomato paste into the mixture, then slowly pour in the broth while whisking constantly to remove any lumps.
• Raise heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, whisking often, for about 5 to 7 minutes, until the sauce has thickened a bit and a spoon encounters some resistance as you stir it. (The sauce will thicken some more as it cools.)
• Remove from heat, then whisk in the vinegar and season to taste with a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Add more salt, if necessary (I usually add another pinch or two). Go forth and make enchiladas!

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.

EASY ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir flour and chili powder into hot oil, reduce heat to medium, and cook until the flour is lightly brown in color, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Gradually stream water and tomato sauce into the flour while stirring until the flour is completely incorporated into a smooth mixture. Stir oregano, cumin, garlic powder, and onion salt into the liquid. Continue cooking until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes; season with salt.

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.

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.