Authentic New Mexico Red Chile Sauce
This authentic New Mexico Red Chile Sauce is a rich, flavorful addition to a variety of dishes. Roasted dried New Mexico chiles are combined with fresh ingredients to create a versatile sauce that can elevate your enchiladas, tamales, stews, and more. With its mildly spicy and smoky flavor profile, this sauce will bring warmth and depth to your meals, making it a staple in your kitchen. It's simple to prepare and can be stored for later use, ensuring you always have this delicious sauce on hand to enhance your favorite recipes.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried New Mexico chiles
8 (stems removed)
Roma tomato
1 (whole)
White onion
1/4 (quartered)
Garlic cloves
2 (whole)
Salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Oil
1 tablespoon (for cooking)
Instructions
1
Start by placing the dried New Mexico chiles in a saucepan. Add enough water to completely cover the chiles. Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a boil.
2
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the chiles simmer for about 15 minutes, or until they are soft and rehydrated.
3
After 15 minutes, drain the water from the chiles. In a blender, combine the softened chiles, roma tomato, quartered onion, garlic cloves, and salt. Add 1/2 cup of fresh water to help with blending.
4
Blend on high speed for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce is completely smooth and has a vibrant red color.
5
In the same saucepan used to boil the chiles, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Carefully pour the blended red chile sauce into the pan.
6
Let the sauce simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Taste the sauce and adjust the salt as needed.
7
Once done, remove from heat and let cool slightly before using or storing.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic New Mexico Red Chile Sauce?
It is a rich, smoky, and flavorful sauce made from dried New Mexico chiles, used to enhance dishes like enchiladas and tamales.
What are the primary ingredients?
The main ingredients are 8 dried New Mexico chiles, 1 roma tomato, 1/4 white onion, 2 garlic cloves, salt, and oil.
How do I prepare the dried chiles?
Start by removing the stems, then boil them in water and simmer for 15 minutes until soft.
Should I use the water used for boiling the chiles?
No, you should drain the boiling water and use 1/2 cup of fresh water for blending.
How long should the sauce be blended?
Blend the ingredients on high speed for about 5 minutes to ensure the sauce is completely smooth.
Why is the sauce cooked in oil?
Heating the sauce in oil for 10 minutes helps to meld the flavors and create a rich consistency.
Is this red chile sauce spicy?
This sauce has a mildly spicy flavor profile, providing warmth without being overwhelming.
Can I use this for enchiladas?
Yes, it is specifically noted as a versatile sauce that can elevate enchiladas.
Is the recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the recipe is naturally gluten-free as it uses whole vegetables and chiles.
Is this sauce vegan?
Yes, this authentic recipe is vegan-friendly.
What kind of tomato is best?
The recipe calls for one whole roma tomato.
What type of onion should I use?
The recipe specifies using 1/4 of a white onion, quartered.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 2 garlic cloves for this sauce.
What is the final texture of the sauce?
The sauce should be completely smooth and have a vibrant red color.
Can I store this sauce for later?
Yes, it can be stored and used later to enhance your favorite recipes.
How much salt is recommended?
Use 1 teaspoon of salt, but you can adjust it to taste during the final simmering process.
What is the flavor profile?
The sauce is described as rich, smoky, and mildly spicy with deep flavor.
Can I use this for tamales?
Yes, it is an excellent choice for making or serving with tamales.
Do I need to peel the tomato?
No, the recipe indicates using one whole roma tomato for blending.
How much oil is required?
You need 1 tablespoon of oil to fry and simmer the sauce.
What heat setting is used for the final simmer?
The sauce should simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes.
How many chiles are used?
The recipe uses 8 dried New Mexico chiles.
Does the sauce require constant stirring?
You should stir occasionally during the final 10-minute simmer to prevent sticking.
What is the first step in the instructions?
Place the dried chiles in a saucepan and cover them completely with water.
How do I know when the chiles are ready for blending?
They are ready after simmering for 15 minutes, once they are soft and rehydrated.
Can this sauce be used in stews?
Yes, it is a great addition to stews to provide warmth and depth.
What color should the sauce be?
The finished sauce should have a vibrant red color.
Is the garlic cooked before blending?
No, the whole garlic cloves are added directly to the blender with the softened chiles.
Should the sauce be cooled before use?
The recipe recommends letting the sauce cool slightly after the final simmer.
What makes this sauce authentic?
Its authenticity comes from using dried New Mexico chiles and traditional preparation methods like rehydrating and frying the sauce.