Risa,
Here's a few mexican basics:
HOTTER THAN **** HABANERO SALSA
1 small tomato, 2 medium onions, 3 cloves garlic, 1 medium red bell pepper, 1 fresh Habanero chile, 1 fresh Tabasco chile, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1/3 cup water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 teaspoons canola oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, 1/4 teaspoon oregano (mexican variety)
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For a basic chile paste, I use 2 or 3 dried chiles, such as pasilla, guajillo, ancho, cascabel, or habanero.
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Take a few dried ancho chiles and throw them in a coffee grinder (that you will use solely for that purpose) and add a little bit to any chile recipe.
K
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