quote:
Originally posted by Todd G.:
How do you do the adobo?
Todd - Adobo recipe follows. I c&p'ed it from a file on my laptop, and I've been using it for so long I don't recall the original source. Possibly Bayless with a few personal tweaks.
Adobo
1/3 cup vegetable oil
12 medium (about 6 ounces) dried ancho chiles, stemmed, seeded and torn into flat pieces
6 large garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
2 teaspoons dried oregano, preferably Mexican
1 teaspoon black pepper, preferably freshly ground
1/2 teaspoon cumin, preferably freshly ground
1/4 teaspoon cloves, preferably freshly ground
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, preferably freshly ground
1/2 cup cider vinegar
4 cups chicken or turkey broth
1 tablespoon salt
2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
1. The adobo puree.
Measure the oil into a large skillet and set over medium heat. When hot, oil-toast the chiles 1 or 2 pieces at a time until very toasty smelling and blistered, only a few seconds per side. Pour off all but a generous film of oil from the skillet and set aside. Transfer the chiles to a large bowl and measure in 4 cups hot tap water; a small plate on top will keep the chiles submerged. Let rehydrate for about 20 minutes.
Measure the garlic, oregano, black pepper, cumin, cloves, nutmeg, and vinegar into a blender or food processor. Pour in the rehydrated chiles, liquid and all (do this in batches if necessary). Process the mixture to a smooth puree. Press through a medium-mesh strainer set over a bowl.
2. From puree to finished sauce.
Set the chile-frying skillet over medium heat. When quite hot, add the adobo and stir until reduced to the thickness of tomato paste, about 10 minutes. Stir in the broth, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes or so. The finished sauce should be quite light in texture-not watery, but just one stage thicker. (A good test is to pour a little on a plate and watch it spread: If it flows evenly, it's right; if it doesn't flow much and water begins separating around the edges, it's too thick.) Season with salt and sugar -- it should be a little sweet-sour with a hint of saltiness.
Original Post