8 dried California chilies
Water
1-1/2 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vinegar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Makes about 2-1/3 cups

• Wash chilies thoroughly. Place in a large saucepan and cover generously with water. Cover and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let stand 45 minutes or until softened. Drain chilies, reserving soaking liquid. Pull off stems, slit chilies open and rinse off seeds.
• Place chilies and 1 cup soaking liquid in blender or food processor. Process until pureed. Turn into a sieve and rub through sieve into bowl to eliminate small bits of peel. Rinse blender with an additional 1 cup soaking liquid and pour over remaining pulp in sieve.
• Heat oil or lard and garlic in a medium saucepan. When oil is fragrant with garlic, discard garlic clove. Stir in flour until mixture is smooth. Cook about 1 minute. Add pureed chili mixture and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cook and stir until slightly thickened. Taste and add more salt if needed

Recipe submitted by Dee