Be sure your kitchen is well ventilated when you soak the New Mexican and guajillo chiles; their vapors can be a mild irritant.

　　

Ingredients

makes 3 cups

　　9 dried New Mexican chiles

　　6 dried guajillo chiles

　　1 quart boiling water, for soaking the chiles

　　6 garlic cloves (do not peel)

　　6 plum tomatoes

　　2 tablespoons vegetable oil

　　1/2 large white onion, finely chopped

　　4 1/2 teaspoons New Mexican chili powder

　　6 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, seeded

　　1 tablespoon dried Mexican oregano

　　Coarse salt

　　

Step 1

Toast the New Mexican and guajillo chiles in a dry large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, turning, until warm and soft, about 30 seconds per side (do not let blacken, or the chiles will be bitter). Remove the chiles; reserve the skillet.

　　

Step 2

Discard the stems; cut the chiles lengthwise with kitchen shears, and discard the seeds. Cover the chiles with boiling water. Let stand until hydrated, about 20 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Meanwhile, cook the garlic and tomatoes in the skillet over medium-high heat, turning, until charred and soft, about 10 minutes. Set the tomatoes aside; peel the garlic.

　　

Step 4

Heat the oil in the skillet over medium-low until hot but not smoking. Cook the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the chili powder; cook 1 minute. Drain chiles, reserving 1 1/2 cups liquid.

　　

Step 5

Puree the onion, hydrated chiles, chipotle chiles, tomatoes, garlic, and oregano in a blender, adding a small amount of the reserved soaking liquid if the mixture seems dry. Pass the sauce through a fine sieve into the skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring, 5 minutes. Add the remaining soaking liquid. Simmer until the sauce is thickened, 12 to 15 minutes. Season with salt. If not serving immediately, refrigerate up to 2 days; reheat over low (add water if the sauce seems too thick).

　　Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group.Buy the full book from Amazon.