Mexican Hot Pepper Sauce Recipes

JALAPENO HOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Give the jalapenos a good rinse and de-stem them. Be sure to wash your hands after handling them. More info on handling hot chiles.
• Saute a roughly chopped 1/2 onion and 2 whole, peeled garlic cloves in a glug of oil over medium heat.
• Once the onion is browning you can add 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano, some freshly cracked black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon cumin (optional). Briefly cook until fragrant and then add: the de-stemmed jalapenos, 3/4 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and then add everything to a blender.
• Add 8-10 sprigs cilantro and the juice of 1 lime to the blender. Combine well or to your desired consistency. I usually leave it a bit chunky but you can always blend it thinner.
• Add mixture to three 5 oz. bottles or a small Mason jar. Store in the fridge where it will keep for at least a month.

HOMEMADE RED HOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the arbol peppers, guajillo peppers, and garlic in a saucepan with the water. Turn the heat to high, and once the water starts boiling, turn the heat down and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until peppers are very soft. Due to the fumes, the peppers will give off, make sure your windows are open or turn on the exhaust fan.
• Remove saucepan from heat and allow to drop to room temperature. Once it has cooled, place the peppers, garlic, spices, dried herbs, vinegar, and one cup of the cooking water into a blender. Puree until you have a very fine texture.
• Pour this mixture into a glass container using a strainer, to remove any pieces of pepper skins left.
• Pour the mixture into the saucepan again, turn to medium-high heat, and gently simmer for about 5 minutes. This is just enough time to reduce the salsa to the desired consistency and allow the spices' flavors to blend. Again, don't forget to have the windows open and/or the kitchen exhaust fan on.
• Allow cooling. Pour the sauce into a sterilized bottle and secure with an airtight cap or lid.
• You can use this sauce immediately, although the flavors will be better about two weeks later. This sauce can last stored in your refrigerator for about 6 months. Enjoy!

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN HOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove stems and seeds from the guajillo chile, pasilla chile, and the New Mexico chile pods.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Toast the chile pods in the skillet until lightly brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the chile pods to a small bowl and pour the warm water over them. Allow chiles to soak about 40 minutes.
• Remove the guajillo and New Mexico chiles from the water. Use a spoon to scrape the pulp from the skin. Discard the skin. Place the pulp of the guajillo chile and the New Mexico chiles in a food processor with the pasilla chile and the water in which the peppers soaked. Puree in the food processor until all ingredients are combined. Add the garlic, cumin, salt, brown sugar, salt, and vinegar. Puree the mixture until smooth.

MEXICAN HOT PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Put ingredients through blender and put in sterilized bottles.
• Refrigerate.
• Note: this makes a large batch, you may want to half the recipe - or go with it and share as I do!