Vegan Chile Colorado

Vegan Chile Colorado

recipe image

Vegan Chile Colorado

Photo by Julia Gartland. Food stylist: Anna Billingskog. Prop stylist: Ali Slagle.
  • Prep time
    20 minutes
  • Cook time
    1 hour 20 minutes
  • Serves
    8
  • Test Kitchen-Approved

Watch This Recipe

Vegan Chile Colorado

Ingredients

  • 5

    (78g / 2 3/4 oz) chiles anchos, stemmed and seeded


  • 3

    (21g / 3/4 oz) chiles pasillas, stemmed and seeded


  • 4

    (20g / 3/4 oz) chiles guajillos, stemmed and seeded


  • 3

    (8g / 1/3 oz) chiles morita, stemmed


  • 1/4 cup

    (40g / 1 1/2 oz) raisins


  • 1 teaspoon

    cumin seeds


  • 1 teaspoon

    coriander seeds


  • 1 teaspoon

    whole black peppercorns


  • 1 teaspoon

    dried oregano, preferably Mexican


  • 1 teaspoon

    dried sage


  • 2

    dried bay leaves


  • 2/3 cup

    extra-virgin olive oil, divided


  • 2

    (1.8kg / 4 lbs) cauliflowers, cored, halved and sliced into 3/4-inch-thick pieces


  • 1

    (232g / 8 1/4 oz) sweet potato, beet or plantain scrubbed clean, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces


  • 1 pound

    (453g) cremini or button mushrooms, cleaned and chopped


  • 1

    (398g / 14 oz) white onion, chopped


  • 5

    garlic cloves, chopped


  • 2 tablespoons

    (24g / 3/4 oz) Diamond Crystal or 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon Morton kosher salt


  • Steamed rice and tostadas, for serving

Directions
  1. In a large saucepan set over high heat, bring 5 cups water plus the anchos, pasillas, guajillos, moritas, and raisins to a boil in a large saucepan; cover, remove from heat, and let sit until chiles are very tender, about 30 minutes. Transfer chiles and soaking liquid to the jar of an upright blender and puree, starting on the very lowest speed and gradually increasing to high, until completely smooth. Set aside until ready to use.
  2. In a spice grinder, grind cumin, coriander, peppercorns, oregano, sage, and bay leaves until fine. Set aside until ready to use.
  3. In a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat, warm 2 tablespoons oil over medium high. Add half of cauliflower and cook, leaving them undisturbed, until browned underneath, 3 to 4 minutes. Toss and continue to cook until browned on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes more. Transfer to a large bowl. Continue with another 2 tablespoons of oil and remaining cauliflower.
  4. In the same pot, heat an additional 2 tablespoons oil. Add half the mushrooms and cook, undisturbed, until browned underneath, 3 to 4 minutes. Toss and continue to cook, until browned on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes more. Transfer to a bowl with cauliflower. Continue with another 2 tablespoons of oil and remaining mushrooms. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in same pot and cook onion, garlic, and salt, stirring occasionally and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, 6 to 8 minutes. Add ground spice mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until very fragrant, about 1 minute. Add sweet potato, cauliflower, mushrooms and any accumulated juices and stir in chile puree until completely coated. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender, about 1 hour.
  5. Serve warm with rice and tostadas.

Rick Martinez is currently living his dream—cooking, eating and enjoying the Mexican Pacific coast in Mazatlán. He is finishing his first cookbook, Under the Papaya Tree, food from the seven regions of Mexico and loved traveling the country so much, he decided to buy a house on the beach. He is a regular contributor to Bon Appétit, New York Times and hosts live, weekly cooking classes for Food Network Kitchens. Earlier this year, he was nominated for a James Beard Award for “How to win the Cookie Swap” in Bon Appétit’s holiday issue.

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