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Chile Pesto

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A cross between an enchilada sauce and mole, this pesto pairs well with grilled meat or vegetables.

Prep/Cook Time: 40 Minutes, Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 large clove garlic, minced
  • 4 dried New Mexico chiles (see Ingredient note), stemmed, seeded and broken into 2-inch pieces
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds), toasted
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 2 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring constantly, for 20 seconds more. Add chiles; cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Add water and immediately turn off the heat. When the water stops boiling, pour the chile mixture into a small bowl. Make sure all the pieces are submerged; cover and set aside to soften, 20 minutes.
  2. Pour the chile mixture into a food processor or large blender. Add pepitas, thyme, cumin and salt. Pulse a few times, then process until smooth, or to the desired consistency, scraping down the sides occasionally.

© Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission.


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