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mexican essentials: spicy happy sauce

Andy59 avatar
Recipe by
Andy Anderson !
@Andy59
Wichita, KS

I call it happy sauce, because when you put it on something, you smile, and get happy. At least, that is my story, and I am sticking to it. Anyway, it is a sauce of my own creation with roots in many Mexican sauces. Drizzle it over some tacos, or enchiladas, use it as a salad dressing on a plate of greens… I am sure that you will put it to good use. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.

yield serving(s)
prep time 10 Min
method No-Cook or Other

Ingredients For mexican essentials: spicy happy sauce

  • PLAN/PURCHASE
  • 1/2 c
    queso fresco
  • 2 clove
    baked garlic
  • 2 md
    chipotle peppers, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
  • 1 - 2 Tbsp
    fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp
    ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp
    paprika, hot or mild, your choice
  • salt, kosher variety, to taste
  • white pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • ADDITIONAL ITEMS
  • cream, half & half, or milk, as needed

How To Make mexican essentials: spicy happy sauce

  • 1
    PREP/PREPARE
  • 2
    You will need a food processor, or a blender to make this recipe.
  • 3
    Since you are not going to use up the whole can of chipotle chilis, a good thing to do is give them a few spins in a small food prep to make a paste, and then freeze until needed. Waste not… Want not :-)
  • 4
    Baked garlic is perfect for this sauce, because their mellow flavors blend so well with the other ingredients. I tried it with raw garlic, and I found that it overpowered the sauce.
  • 5
    Queso Fresco (fresh cheese) is a mild Mexican cheese made from cow’s milk that crumbles, it is used over refried beans, tacos, salads, etc. In terms of flavor and savor, it is similar to feta cheese. It is considered a staple in authentic Mexican cuisine.
  • 6
    To cut back on the heat, reduce the amount of adobo sauce, and scrape the seeds out of the peppers, before blending.
  • 7
    Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
  • 8
    Place everything into a food-processor, or mini-prep, fitted with an S-Blade.
  • 9
    Blend until nice and smooth.
  • 10
    Add the cream, half & half, or milk, a tablespoon at a time, and blend until reaching your desired consistency.
  • 11
    Chef’s Note: If I am using it as a salad dressing, I want it pourable; if it will be used as a dip, or burger sauce, I want it a bit thicker… You get the idea.
  • 12
    PLATE/PRESENT
  • 13
    It is an awesome sauce, you anyway you see fit. Enjoy.
  • Stud Muffin
    14
    Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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