Easy as it might sound, you can’t just take any sauce and plop it on a piping hot plate of enchiladas. Pizza sauce, for example, is much more at home on, oh, a pizza for instance. No, enchiladas require a sauce all their own, and we must respect that. Luckily, the sauce designated for this occasion is a tasty one, and quite aptly named. Yes, today we’re talking about enchilada sauce! Sure, we know what’s inside the enchiladas themselves (Meats! Cheeses! Beans! Various vegetables and possibly potatoes!) but what’s in the sauce that puts this dish over the top and into our hearts? Let’s find out together!
What is in enchilada sauce?
Though enchiladas always come with a sauce slathered atop them, there are a variety of different kinds. The most common “red” enchilada sauce may also be called salsa roja, salsa roja para enchiladas, or mole rojo. This is a sauce made out of ancho/pasilla/New Mexico and/or Cascabel chiles, onion, garlic, tomatoes, broth, cumin, oregano, etc. all blended together then simmered until thickened, to give the sauce a bit of heft.
Enchilada sauce can also take the form of tomatillos (such as salsa verde), moles, or if you’re really feeling decadent, you can even go the queso route, like chili con queso. I’ll be honest, this is the hungriest I’ve ever made myself writing one of these. I may need to re-think my entire lunch order today. What was I thinking by making myself a sandwich?
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It may be a surprise to some of you that many store-bought enchilada sauces are NOT gluten-free, as they are often thickened with flour. To keep your enchilada sauce free of any gluten, be sure to use brands and/or recipes that are thickened with cornstarch, arrowroot, or gluten-free flour. Always check the labels, folks!
Is enchilada sauce spicy?
How hot is enchilada sauce, really? Well, it depends, and not only on the tenacity of one’s own taste buds! The heat of the enchilada sauces can range from mild to hot, depending on the variety of chili pepper used in the recipe. For example, ancho chili-based sauces will be on the mild end of the spectrum, while a sauce made with serrano pepper will be hot.
So there you have it. I take full responsibility for getting everyone who’s read this hooked on the idea of a delicious enchilada luncheon. I say we lean into it, save that brown-bagged PB&J for tomorrow (again, what was I thinking?), and take it south of the border for our next meal. Margaritas on me!
How hot is enchilada sauce? The heat of the enchilada sauces can range from mild to hot, depending on the type of chili used in the recipe. For example, Ancho chili base sauces can be mild, while the ones with serrano pepper will be hot.
LA VICTORIA® Red Enchilada Sauce Mild is a perfect blend signature spices and red chiles for a mild flavor profile for those who want great taste without too much heat.
Traditional enchilada sauce is the foolproof solution to any dinner dilemma. Ground cumin and garlic powder infuse the tomato-based sauce with tons of bold flavor that pairs well with meats, cheeses, soups, and casseroles. It's a rich and smoky sauce that adds depth to any dish it touches.
Taco sauce has a similar taste profile to enchilada sauces. Like enchilada sauce, it's made with tomatoes, garlic, chilies, and various other spices and aromatics. It does have a different flavor, but the main problem with using taco sauce is that it's thicker. It's meant as a condiment rather than a cooking sauce.
These two sauces might overlap in their ingredients, but the key difference is that enchilada sauce is thin, smooth, and served hot. It's also considered an important part of dishes like enchiladas, while salsa roja is a cold table sauce that can be added to anything.
This easy enchilada sauce recipe is no exception! It is probably the best enchilada sauce substitute that I've found. It can easily be made from a jar of tomato sauce and a spice blend that most of us have at home.
Red chilies make red enchiladas sweeter and milder than green sauce. However, you can adjust the spiciness. Additionally, you can prepare them with cooked peppers. On the other hand, enchiladas with green sauce are made with raw and fresh green ingredients, such as tomatillos or green chilies.
This sauce is full of authentic Mexican flavor. It comes from a combination of dried spices, which are sautéed in oil to bring out their best, and umami-rich tomato paste. The cinnamon is optional since some people just don't like it in savory applications, but just a pinch adds some lovely warmth and complexity.
Some red sauce recipes use red tomato paste or crushed tomatoes as the base. Depending on the recipe or who is making the red sauce, it is still a spicy sauce. The heat range can vary from mild to very hot. In most cases it will depend on the type of chilies used.
Instead, all the rich and savory flavors come from only a handful of ingredients – dried chiles, garlic, salt and Mexican chocolate. (Check out this easy enchilada sauce recipe for a 10-minute version made with easy-to-find pantry ingredients like chili powder, tomato paste and broth.)
A sprinkle of sugar or honey should do the trick. Or add a touch of sweet ketchup. If it's a tomato-based sauce, stir in a little more tomato sauce and maybe a touch of sugar.
Red enchilada sauce tends to be spicier due to the use of dried red chili peppers, which have a higher Scoville heat rating compared to fresh green chili peppers. However, the spiciness can be adjusted to suit individual tastes by varying the quantity of chili peppers used in the sauce.
Use Las Palmas® Medium Green Enchilada Sauce to make delicious Mexican staples. Offering a medium level of spice to enhance but not overpower your enchiladas, this sauce is sure to make your enchiladas a hit.
Some are mild, focusing on fresh and herbaceous flavors, such as salsa verde, pico de gallo, and guacamole. Others are moderately spicy, like salsa taquera and roasted red salsa, one of Mexico's most popular varieties. Among the very spicy sauces are chile de árbol sauce and habanero sauce.
One common mistake people make is believing that a green sauce isn't spicy. Most green enchilada sauces use green chilis, which includes jalapenos and serrano, tipping off the spicy scale. As with any color chili, green sauces range from mild to hot.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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