Home-Smoked Chipotles

Ingredients

• Chunks or logs of fragrant hardwood, preferably a combination of Oak & Mesquite
• 1 1/4 lb Red-ripe jalapeno chiles, with stems
• 1/2 c Dried Red New Mexico Chile Puree (OR - Commercial chile paste, such as Santa Cruz)
• 1/3 c Water
• 2 TB Tomato paste
• 2 TB Cider vinegar
• 1 TB Packed dark brown sugar
• 1 Clove fresh garlic - peeled and crushed
• 1/4 tsp Salt

Directions

1. Prepare a smoker according to the manufacturer's directions, using the wood chunks and achieving a steady temperature of 275 to 300 degrees F.
2. Place the chiles directly on the smoker rack (or use a shallow disposable foil pan) at the cooler end of the smoking chamber or on the upper rack if your smoker has one. Lower the cover and smoke the chiles for 2 1/2 hours, or until they are soft, brown, and slightly shriveled.
3. Remove the chipotles from the smoker.
4. In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine them with the chile puree, water, tomato paste, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and salt. Set over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring once or twice, until the sauce is very thick, about 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
5. Transfer the chipotles to a covered storage container and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before using. They can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 2 months.