Guajillo Chili Sauce

Chipfo's Note:

I am posting this recipe per request. This is Essential Simmered Quajillo Sauce by Rick Bayless.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 6-8

Yield: 2.5 cups

• 6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
• 16 medium dried guajillo chilies (about 4 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (preferably Mexican)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, fresh ground
• 1/8 teaspoon cumin, fresh ground
• 3 2/3 cups meat broth (beef, poultry or fish depending the use of the sauce)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil or 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt, approximately, depending on how salty the broth
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, approximately

Directions:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.

Reviews

[Mozwhite]

A guy in my neighborhood gave me a big bag of guajillo chili's and I found this recipe. WOW! It is a lot of work, but it really is worth it. The flavor is amazing and will make the Enchilada's in Cheesy Tex-Mex Enchiladas With Simmered Guajillo Sauce the best you've ever made at home. Start early because it will take a lot longer than an hour to get this done right if it's your first time. Followed the recipe exactly and it was delicious!

[ala-kat]

I came across a 6 oz package of dried guajillos at Publix for 99 cents. Came home to find recipes as I was not familiar with this pepper. This is a VERY tasty sauce, deep and full flavored. Unfortunately, it was during this recipe that my blender decided to go sideways on me. Sauce everywhere, what a red mess. Salvaged what I could and did my best to continue to follow the directions. At any rate, the result was (almost) worth it. Back to Publix again today, and they were still on sale :) Bought some more as this sauce is worthy of repeating. While I still have some sauce left, I'll freeze the next batch in an ice cube tray and save for later. I think it is now my favorite dried pepper for a sauce :)

[LonghornMama]

This sauce takes some work but it's well worth the effort. Deep and complex flavors which blended beautifully with Cheesy Tex-Mex Enchiladas With Simmered Guajillo Sauce. I had planned to use beef broth, but even with organic chicken broth, the sauce was deep and rich. Used 4 cups broth and let it cook down a bit. Made the sauce the night before which I highly recommend. Couldn't find guajillos at any local groceries which rather surprised me, so purchased a 4 oz. bag at Penzey's (can buy online at www.penzeys.com). Fabulous detailed directions. In my original review I forgot to mention that I skipped the straining step, just made sure to puree the peppers thoroughly in the blender. Sauce was still smooth and velvety. Thanks for sharing the recipe!