Red Chile Recipe

From the Santa Fe School of Cooking:

Ingredients  (Makes about 3 cups):

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup finely diced onion
• 2-3 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup pure ground New Mexican red chile powder
• 2 1/2 cups water or chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground cumin seed
• salt to taste
• Optional seasonings: freshly ground coriander seed

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan and sauté the onion for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and sauté 2 minutes more. Stir in the flour, the chile and slowly add the water, whisking to break up any lumps in the chile. Add the oregano and the cumin, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened slightly. Season with salt to taste.