Let’s turn up the heat with our “MXCancun Mexican Magic: Salsa Negra”. This traditional Mexican sauce is a fiery blend of dried chiles, garlic, and oil, offering a smoky, spicy kick that will elevate any dish to a new level of deliciousness.

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups of dried chiles (such as ancho or guajillo), stemmed and seeded.
2. 4 cloves of garlic
3. 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
4. 1 teaspoon of salt
5. 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
6. 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

Optional Ingredients:

1. 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for tanginess
2. 1 teaspoon of honey for sweetness

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Preparation and Cooking Details:

1. In a large skillet, toast the dried chiles over medium heat until they become fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
2. Transfer the toasted chiles to a blender or food processor.
3. In the same skillet, sauté the garlic in 1 tablespoon of oil until golden brown.
4. Add the sautéed garlic, salt, cumin, and black pepper to the blender.
5. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet until it’s hot but not smoking.
6. Carefully pour the hot oil into the blender. Make sure to cover the blender with a towel to avoid any splatter.
7. Blend the mixture until it becomes a smooth paste.
8. If using, add the apple cider vinegar and honey, and blend again until well combined.
9. Let the salsa cool before serving. It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.