Santa Fe Christmas Sauce
Did you know the chile pepper is New Mexico’s official state vegetable? These green and red beauties find our soil and sun particularly inviting, especially Hatch chilis, grown only in the Hatch Valley. Once a floodplain for the Rio Grande River, Hatch Valley has nutrient-rich soil and a temperature-fluctuating microclimate that produces some of the best chili peppers in the world. We’re proud of our chilis, but the real question is… can you handle the heat?
We’ve got the perfect recipe to help you melt away those winter blues — New Mexico’s famous Christmas Sauce, a Santa Fe classic! This recipe has a great balance of mild heat and rich, smoky flavors featuring a blend of green and red chilies. That’s how this sauce got its name — the combination of red and green chili varieties mimic the colors of Christmas.
Here’s a stellar recipe for making Christmas Sauce, perfect for dinner or family gatherings. Christmas Sauce pairs well with chips, meats, tamales, enchiladas and breakfast scrambles!
Ingredients:
- 2 roasted green chilies (Hatch or Anaheim)
- 2 roasted red chilies (red bell peppers or red Anaheim)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
Instructions:
Roast the chilies: Char the green and red chilies under a broiler in the oven or on a grill until the skins are blackened. Place the chilies in a paper bag or a covered bowl to steam for about 10 minutes. Peel off the skins, remove the seeds, and chop the chilies.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Combine ingredients: Add the chopped chilies, tomatoes, cumin, paprika, and salt to the saucepan. Stir to combine!
- Simmer: Add the broth and let the mixture simmer for 15-20 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Blend (optional): To make the sauce smoother, blend the mixture using an immersion blender or regular blender.
- Serve: Garnish with cilantro if desired. The sauce is now ready to be served on your favorite dishes!
We hope you enjoy this hot and smoky sauce this chilly season, adding a bit of Southwestern flair to your holiday celebrations!
