Chile de Arbol (Hot Sauce)
- 1 1/4 ounces (about 50 to 60 mixed-size) dried chiles de arbol
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons shelled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds (or a generous 1/4 teaspoon ground)
- 4 large allspice berries (or about 1/8 teaspoon ground)
- 2 cloves (or a big pinch ground)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 scant teaspoon salt
- 2 large cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup cider vinegar
- The chiles and seeds.
- Stem the chiles, then roll them between your thumb and fingers, pressing gently to loosen the seeds inside.
- Break in half, shake out as many seeds as possible, then place in a blender jar.
- Heat an ungreased skillet over medium-low.
- Measure in the sesame seeds and stir for several minutes as they brown and pop; scoop into the blender jar.
- Add the pumpkinseeds to the skillet.
- When the first one pops, stir constantly for several minutes, until all are golden and have popped up into a round shape.
- Blending the sauce.
- Pulverize the cumin, allspice and cloves in a mortar or spice grinder, then add to the blender jar along with the oregano, salt, garlic and vinegar.
- Blend for several minutes, until the mixture is orange-red and feels quite smooth when a drop is rubbed between your fingers.
- Straining and ripening the sauce.
- Strain through a medium-mesh sieve, working the solids back and forth and pressing them firmly; there will be a fair amount of chile seeds, skins, sesame hulls and other debris to discard, but be careful that there is no liquid trapped within them.
- Stir in 3/4 cup water, then pour into a bottle, cover and let stand for 24 hours before serving.
arbol, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, cumin seeds, allspice berries, ground, oregano, salt, garlic, cider vinegar
Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/chile-de-arbol-hot-sauce (may not work)