Salsa Chile de Árbol (Chile de Årbol Sauce)

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

This is the sauce that commonly is bottled in liquor bottles and sold in 
the mercados and at roadside stands in central and northern Mexico. It 
is sprinkled over nearly any snack food, from tacos to tostadas.

Ingredients

30 chiles de árbol, seeds ands stems removed
Water
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
3 cloves garlic
1 cup cider vinegar
3/4 cup water

Instructions

Soak the chiles in the water until softened, about a half hour.
Toast the sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds in a skillet until they pop and 
are brown. Combine the seeds with the drained chiles and the remaining 
ingredients and puree for about 3 minutes. Strain the mixture through a 
sieve and bottle. It will keep for months in the refrigerator.

Salsa de Mole Poblano (Classic Mole Poblano Sauce)

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

This subtle blend of chocolate and chile is from Puebla, where it is 
known as the “National Dish of Mexico” when it is served over turkey. 
This sauce adds life to any kind of poultry, from roasted game hens to a 
simple grilled chicken breast. It is also excellent as a sauce over 
chicken enchiladas.

Ingredients

4 dried pasilla chiles, seeds and stems removed
4 dried red guajillo or New Mexican chiles, seeds and stems removed
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, peeled and seeds removed, chopped
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 corn tortilla, torn into pieces
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
3 tablespoons shortening or vegetable oil
1 cup chicken broth
1 ounce bitter chocolate (or more to taste)

Instructions

Combine the chiles, onion, garlic, tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of the sesame 
seeds, almonds, tortilla, raisins, cloves, cinnamon, and coriander. 
Puree small amounts of this mixture in a blender until smooth.
Melt the shortening in a skillet and saute the puree for 10 minutes, 
stirring frequently. Add the chicken broth and chocolate and cook over a 
very low heat for 45 minutes. The sauce should be very thick. The 
remaining sesame seeds are used as a garnish, sprinkled over the 
finished dish.

Pipián Rojo (Red Pipián Sauce)

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

The chiles, tomatoes, and squash seeds make this a very New World dish, 
as squash has been a staple of the Mexican diet since it was 
domesticated millennia ago. Typically, cooked chicken or turkey is added 
to this sauce from southern Mexico.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups ripe tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped tomatillos
1 pasilla chile, seeds and stem removed
1 guajillo chile, seeds and stem removed, or substitute dried red New 
Mexican
1/4 cup lime juice
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1 tablespoon squash or pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1 cinnamon stick, 1 inch long, broken up
2 teaspoons crushed hot New Mexican red chile
1/2 cup French bread, cubed and moistened with broth
1/4 teaspoon achiote (annatto seed)
1 tablespoon flour

Instructions

Combine the tomatoes, tomatillos, chiles, in 3/4 cup water and 1/4 cup 
lime juice in a sauce pan and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
Toast the sesame seeds, squash seeds, cinnamon stick, and crushed chile 
in a dry skillet over low heat for about 10 minutes.
In a food processor or blender, process the toasted ingredients, and 
then add the cooked tomato mixture, stirring into a smooth paste. Add 
the bread, achiote, 2 cups of chicken broth, flour, and process 
everything until smooth. Return the sauce to the stove and heat through.

Salsa de Chipotle (Chipotle Chile Sauce)

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

From Tlaxcala comes a wonderful sauce that utilizes chipotles, or any 
type of smoked chile. Most commonly, chipotles are smoked red jalapeños. 
This is a table sauce served at room temperature to spice up any main 
dish, including meats and poultry.

Ingredients

10 dried chipotle chiles
4 mulato chiles, or substitute anchos
1/2 onion, chopped
10 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
10 black peppercorns
10 cumin seeds
1/2 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup vinegar
1 cup water

Instructions

Soak the chiles in hot water until softened, about 1 hour. Remove the 
seeds and stems.
In a food processor or blender, combine the chiles, onion, garlic, olive 
oil, sesame seeds, peppercorns, cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, Mexican 
oregano, and salt and process to a paste.
Heat the olive oil and vegetable oil together in a saucepan and fry the 
paste over medium heat until it is aromatic, stirring constantly, for 
about 5 minutes. Add the vinegar and water, remove from the heat, and 
stir well.

Tomato Rundown Sauce

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

In Jamaica, this sauce is served over a wide variety of fish and even 
lobster. It is such a tasty sauce that it is wonderful when served over 
pasta. The term “rundown” (“oildown” in Barbados and Trinidad) refers to 
cooking vegetables in coconut milk until most of the milk is absorbed, 
leaving a light oil.

Ingredients

Meat from 2 coconuts, grated (about 4 cups)
4 cups warm water
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped scallions
1 clove garlic, minced
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 Scotch bonnet chile, left whole (or more to taste), or substitute habanero
1/8 cup tomato paste
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a blender or food processor, combine the grated coconut meat and the 
water and puree as smooth as possible. Remove and strain, reserving the 
milk and using the “trash” for candy or pies.
Place the coconut milk in a large pot and bring to a boil to reduce it. 
Boil for about 30 minutes or until the oil begins to separate. Add the 
onion, bell pepper, scallions, garlic, thyme, and Scotch bonnet. Reduce 
the heat and cook over medium for about 20 minutes.
Add the tomato paste and salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes longer. 
Remove the Scotch bonnet. Place the sauce in a blender or food processor 
and puree until smooth. The sauce should be creamy, with a heavy 
consistency and a light pink color.