A popular Mexican stew, Chile Colorado includes tender pieces of beef simmered in a red chile sauce made from dried Mexican chiles, broth and spices.
Ingredients
- 4 dried ancho chiles (, or pasilla or mulato)
- 5 dried guajillo chiles (, or New Mexican chiles)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 small onion (, chopped)
- ½ of a jalapeno (, minced (optional, for more heat)
- 2 teaspoons Dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked Paprika
- 2 ½ lbs stew meat (, or cubed beef shoulder/butt roast*)
- Salt and pepper
- 3 Tablespoons flour
- 2 Tablespoons oil
- 1 bay leaf
- Juice from 1 small lime
- Cornstarch slurry (1 Tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 Tablespoon water)
- Tortillas (, corn or flour)
- chopped fresh Cilantro (, for garnish)
- Sliced radishes
- Mexican rice
Instructions
- 1Remove meat from fridge and cut into ½ inch cubes. Set aside.
- 2Remove the stems (and seeds if you want, for milder heat) from the dried chiles while rinsing them under cold water. Place chiles in a saucepan and cover with broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
- 3Meanwhile, prepare the meat. Season on all sides with salt and pepper and sprinkle with flour. Add oil to a skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add meat and cook until browned on both sides. Depending on the size of your pan you will need to do this in a few batches to keep from overcrowding.
- 4Remove meat to a plate and set aside. Add onion and jalapeno to the pan and saute for several minutes.
- 5As the onions cook, pour the softened peppers and the broth into a blender. Add the sautéed onion and jalapeno and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- 6Return browned beef (and accumulated juices) back to the pot. Strain the chili sauce from the blender through a fine mesh strainer, into the pot. Add oregano, cumin, paprika, garlic powder and stir well. Add bay leaf.
- 7Bring to a slow boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about an hour, or until the meat is very tender.
- 8Uncover and stir in lime juice and cornstarch slurry. Cook for a few more minutes, until the sauce has slightly thickened.
- 9Serve as a stew with tortillas for dipping and a side of Mexican rice and beans.