Instructions

1. 1
   Wipe chile peppers with a damp cloth to clean. See warning for handling instructions.
2. 2
   Break off stems, and remove seeds.
3. 3
   Soak chili peppers in hot water until softened, about an hour.
4. 4
   Taste the soaking water. If it is bitter, replace it with fresh water.
5. 5
   Purée chili pepper and water mixture in a blender
6. 6
   Heat the oil in a pan, add onion, garlic, and seasonings.
7. 7
   Once the onions are cooked, add the chili purée to the pan. Simmer for 15 minutes.
8. 8
   Return mixture to the blender, and purée. See warning.
9. 9
   Pour sauce through a sieve. Use a spoon to stir and press the mixture against the sieve to extract all the sauce.
10. 10
    Add salt to taste. If the sauce is a little bitter, some sugar can be added to compensate.