Spicy Chocolate Sauce

By LRay

Ingredients

• 1/2 dried chipotle chile pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 medium sweet Spanish onion, sliced (1 1/2 cups)
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/4 cup dry red wine or water
• 1 pound peeled fresh tomatoes, chopped, or canned San Marzano tomatoes
• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3 splashes liquid smoke
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Step 1

Directions

1. In a small bowl, cover the dried pepper with boiling water. Let stand until softened. Drain and chop.

2. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven. Add onion, garlic, sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt; cook over medium heat until onions are translucent. Add tomato paste and wine. Cook and stir about 3 minutes, until most liquid has evaporated, scraping up any browned bits. Add tomatoes, chocolate, and chipotle pepper. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Puree with an immersion blender (or puree in batches in a standard blender) until smooth. Add cumin, liquid smoke, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.