Red Chile Puree Recipe

About 9 (3 oz) dried New Mexico or California chiles
2 cups water
1 small onion, cut into chunks
2 cloves garlic

Arrange chiles on a large baking sheet and cook in a 300 oven until chiles
smell toasted (about 4 minutes). Let cool slightly. Discard stems and
seeds. In a 3 to 4 quart pan, combine chiles, water, onion and garlic; cover and
bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until chiles
are very soft (about 30 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
In a blender or food processor, whirl chile mixture until smooth. Rub
puree through a fine strainer and discard residue. Makes about 2 cups.