Smoky Creamy Chipotle Enchilada Sauce
Inspired by a delightful dining experience at a local Mexican restaurant, this Smoky Creamy Chipotle Enchilada Sauce captures the essence of rich flavors with a perfect blend of sweetness, spiciness, and smokiness. The hearty combination of dried chilies, fresh tomatoes, and a hint of sour cream creates a luscious sauce that will elevate any enchilada dish. Easy to prepare and adaptable to any taste preference, this sauce can be made a day in advance and gently reheated, making it an ideal component for a delightful homemade meal. Adjust the heat level by adding more chipotle chiles to suit your liking, and get ready to impress your friends and family with this culinary masterpiece.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried Guajillo chilies
2 (Stems removed)
Ancho chili
1 small (Stem removed)
Roma tomatoes
2 (Whole)
Garlic cloves
2 (Peeled and left whole)
Water
2 1/2 cups (For boiling)
Chipotle chili
1 (Chopped)
Adobo sauce
2 teaspoons (Reserved from the chipotle chiles)
Chicken bouillon powder
1/4 teaspoon (I use Knorr)
Sour cream
1/4 cup (For finishing)
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan, combine the dried Guajillo chilies (stems removed), the ancho chili (stem removed), tomatoes, whole garlic cloves, and 2 1/2 cups of water.
2
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes, or until the red chilies are soft.
3
Transfer the cooked mixture to a blender. Add the chipotle chili, reserved adobo sauce, and 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Blend on high speed for about 5 minutes until smooth.
4
Strain the blended sauce through a fine-mesh sieve back into the saucepan, discarding any solids. If there’s leftover cooking liquid, reserve it for later if needed.
5
Bring the sauce to a low boil and let it simmer for 10 minutes. If you prefer a thinner consistency, gradually add up to an additional 1/2 cup of water or cooking liquid.
6
Whisk in the chicken bouillon powder, allowing the sauce to simmer for another 10 minutes.
7
Lower the heat to low and gently whisk in the sour cream, ensuring the sauce stays on low heat to prevent curdling. Heat through for an additional 2 minutes.
8
Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy this delicious sauce warm, drizzled over your favorite enchiladas!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smoky Creamy Chipotle Enchilada Sauce?
It is a rich Mexican-inspired sauce made with dried chilies, fresh tomatoes, and sour cream, offering a blend of sweetness, spiciness, and smokiness.
What dried chilies are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires two dried Guajillo chilies and one small Ancho chili.
How many Roma tomatoes are used?
You will need two whole Roma tomatoes for this sauce.
Do I need to remove the stems from the chilies?
Yes, the stems should be removed from both the Guajillo and Ancho chilies before cooking.
How much water is used for the initial boiling process?
You should use 2 1/2 cups of water to combine with the chilies, tomatoes, and garlic.
How long should I simmer the chilies and tomatoes?
Simmer the mixture for 15 minutes or until the red chilies become soft.
How many garlic cloves are included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for two garlic cloves, which should be peeled and left whole.
What provides the smoky flavor in this sauce?
The smokiness comes from the chipotle chili and the dried chilies used in the base.
How much chipotle chili should I add?
The recipe calls for one chopped chipotle chili.
What is adobo sauce and how much do I use?
Adobo sauce is the liquid from the canned chipotles; you should use 2 teaspoons of it.
How much cooking liquid is added to the blender?
Use 1 cup of the reserved cooking liquid when blending the mixture.
How long should I blend the sauce?
Blend the mixture on high speed for about 5 minutes until it is completely smooth.
Why should I strain the sauce through a sieve?
Straining helps remove any remaining solids or skins, ensuring a perfectly luscious and smooth texture.
How do I adjust the heat level of the sauce?
You can increase the spiciness by adding more chipotle chiles to suit your personal preference.
What should I do if the sauce is too thick?
Gradually add up to an additional 1/2 cup of water or cooking liquid to reach your desired consistency.
What kind of bouillon is recommended?
The recipe suggests using 1/4 teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder, specifically Knorr brand.
When do I add the sour cream?
Whisk in 1/4 cup of sour cream at the very end after the sauce has simmered with the bouillon.
How do I prevent the sour cream from curdling?
Lower the heat to low and gently whisk the sour cream in, ensuring the sauce does not boil.
Can I make this enchilada sauce in advance?
Yes, the sauce can be made a day in advance and gently reheated when you are ready to use it.
How long does the sauce simmer after adding bouillon?
Let the sauce simmer for another 10 minutes after the chicken bouillon powder has been whisked in.
Is this sauce suitable for vegetarians?
As written it contains chicken bouillon, but you can substitute it with vegetable bouillon to make it vegetarian.
What are the main flavor profiles of this sauce?
The flavor profile is described as a perfect blend of sweetness, spiciness, and smokiness.
How much sour cream is used?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of sour cream for finishing the sauce.
What should I do with the chili solids after straining?
The solids should be discarded after you have strained the blended mixture back into the saucepan.
How many servings does this recipe make?
The recipe does not specify a serving count, but it contains 11 ingredients focused on making a batch of sauce.
What seasonings are added at the end?
Finish the sauce by seasoning it with salt and pepper to taste.
What tools do I need to make this?
You will need a small saucepan, a blender, and a fine-mesh sieve.
What kind of dishes is this sauce best for?
While designed for enchiladas, it is a versatile creamy sauce that can be drizzled over various Mexican dishes.
How long is the total simmering time during the cooking process?
The sauce simmers for a total of approximately 35-40 minutes across different stages.
What are common tags for this recipe?
Common tags include enchilada sauce, chipotle sauce, Mexican cuisine, and smoky flavor.