“Red or green?” means what color chile sauce do you prefer? It’s the usual question posed to anyone ordering a main course in traditional New Mexican restaurants. This is my version of the favorite cooked green chile sauce served with just about everything in New Mexico and other parts of the Southwest. It pairs well with all kinds of dishes, from eggs to roast beef. Make it hot or hotter by the type of chile you use—up to you. I prefer the fall chiles, roasted when they are turning red from green and a little sweeter.
Ingredients
makes 4 cups
Step 1
In a large, heavy saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-low heat; add the onions and sauté just until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes (do not let them brown). Add the chiles, garlic, and oregano and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 2 cups of the water, salt, and sugar and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes more. Remove from the heat.
Step 2
In the jar of a blender, add the chile mixture, lime juice, cilantro, and the remaining 1/4 cup water. Puree until smooth.
Step 3
In large, heavy nonstick skillet, heat the peanut oil over high heat until just smoking. Refry the sauce at a sizzle, stirring constantly, until it coats a wooden spoon, 3 to 5 minutes. Do not allow the sauce to become too thick; add more liquid if necessary. It will keep 1 week in the refrigerator and 1 month in the freezer.
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