Here's the Texas Red recipe I use:
2 big ancho peppers
2 jalapeno peppers
3 pounds of round steak
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 tablespoons of cumin
2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper (use less if you're a girly-man)
1 teaspoon of oregano
1 teaspoon of salt
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
Poke holes in the anchos with a fork and soak them in hot water for about 30 minutes. Wash the jalapenos & put them on a baking sheet covered in foil (tough to clean otherwise), put them on the top rack in the oven and turn on the broiler. Mine has a "Lo" and a "Hi" setting, I use Lo. Keep the oven door open a bit so you can watch them.
After a few minutes, they'll start smoking a bit and you'll see the outer skin puffing up and separating from the peppers. When that process slows down, take the pan out and flip the peppers over and put it back in. Watch the 2nd side for that action too.
When that is done, take the peppers out and peel the outer skin off under cold running water. Sometimes it doesn't come off entirely so I don't worry much about it. Open each of the peppers and take out the stem & seeds. Wash them off but don't scrub them.
Put them all in a blender and put a little water in there too. Puree for a minute or so and you'll end up with this smoky, chocolatey sauce. Put it aside.
Cut the round steak into 1/2" cubes, trim the outer fat off and throw it away. Put the round steak into a skillet, add the vegetable oil, toss it, and saute it until the meat is gray.
Put the meat into a cookpot, cover with the pepper puree. You may have to add just a bit of water. Stir it up good. Bring it to a boil, then turn it down and simmer it for 30 minutes uncovered.
Take it off of the stove. Add all of the seasonings & garlic & onion too. Bring it to a boil again, then cover it and let it simmer for 45 minutes. Stir occasionally. If the meat sticks to the pot, add just a BIT of water. You want it thick.
Take it off of the stove and let it cool a bit. Put it in the fridge overnight.
Reheat and put onion and grated cheese on the top. Serve. Yes, the spoon is standing up on its own:
Mmmmmmm.
