Best 4 Moms Traditional Enchilada Sauce Recipes

AUTHENTIC ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• Start with that all important step: Roasting! Heat a heavy non-stick skillet (I like to use cast iron) over medium-high heat. Don't add any oil. Lay the dried peppers on the skillet and toast them for a minute or two on each, just until they become very fragrant. It's better to under-toast than to over-toast them as they will become very bitter if scorched. Remove and set aside. Next place the onion, garlic and tomatoes on the skillet and toast until lightly browned.
• Remove the stems from the peppers (using gloves if you're using hot peppers), slice the peppers open and remove and discard all of the seeds and the membranes (contrary to popular belief, it's the membranes not the seeds that are hot, the seeds are bitter). Place the peppers in a bowl.Pour the boiling water over the peppers, cover the bowl and let them sit for 20-30 minutes until soft.
• Place the peppers and their liquid along with the onion, tomato, garlic and all remaining ingredients (except for the chocolate if using) in a blender and blend until completely smooth.Note: At this point determine for yourself whether your sauce needs to be strained. I use a Vitamix blender which does an excellent job of blending the sauce to a very smooth puree, so I don't bother straining it.
• Time to cook the sauce: Heat a tablespoon or so of oil to a pot then add red sauce. Simmer it uncovered for about 30 minutes. Add a little more water if you prefer it thinner. The sauce should be the thickness of heavy cream.Optional: For an added flavor touch, add a small piece of semi-sweet chocolate at the end and stir until melted.If the sauce is very bitter, add a touch of brown sugar. SEE NOTE.
• Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for several months. I like to freeze about a cup of it per freezer bag so I can conveniently grab a bag as needed.Makes approx. 5-6 cups.

EASY ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir flour and chili powder into hot oil, reduce heat to medium, and cook until the flour is lightly brown in color, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Gradually stream water and tomato sauce into the flour while stirring until the flour is completely incorporated into a smooth mixture. Stir oregano, cumin, garlic powder, and onion salt into the liquid. Continue cooking until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes; season with salt.

TEN MINUTE ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in flour and chili powder, reduce heat to medium, and cook until lightly brown, stirring constantly to prevent burning flour.
• Gradually stir in tomato sauce, water, cumin, garlic powder, and onion salt into the flour and chili powder until smooth, and continue cooking over medium heat approximately 10 minutes, or until thickened slightly. Season to taste with salt.

MOM'S ENCHILADA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Warm refried beans. Combine with ground beef.
• Cover bottom of casserole dish with one layer of corn tortillas.
• Spread green sauce over tortilla layer until completely covered.
• Spread a third of the beef/bean mixture on top of sauce/tortilla layer.
• Top layered combo with shredded jack cheese.
• Repeat layering combo (steps 3-6) two more times.
• Cover casserole with one layer of corn tortillas.
• Top with remaining green sauce and cheese.
• Cook until casserole is warmed and cheese is melted.