Saved from the list: MAKING CHIPOTLES It is possible to make chipotle in the backyard with a meat smoker or a Weber-type barbecue with a lid. The grill should be washed to remove any meat particles because any odor in the barbecue will give the chile an undesirable flavor. Ideally, the smoker or barbecue should be new and dedicated only to smoking chiles. The quantity of homemade chipotle will depend upon the maturity and quality of the pods, the moisture of the pods, the temperature of the smoke drying the pods, and the amount of time the peppers are exposed to the smoke and heat. The aroma of the wood smoke will flavor the jalapenos, so carefully choose what is burned. Branches from fruit trees, or other hardwoods such as hickory, oak, and pecan, work superbly. Pecan is used extensively in parts of Mexico and in southern New Mexico to flavor chipotle. Do not be afraid to experiment with different woods. The difference between the fresh weight of the fruits and the finished product is about ten to one, so it takes ten pounds of fresh jalapenos to produce approximately one pound of chipotles. A pound of chipotles goes a long way, as a single pod is usually enough to flavor a dish. First, wash all the pods and discard any that have insect damage, bruises or are soft. Remove the stems from the pods before placing the peppers in a single layer on the grill rack. Start two small fires on each side of the grill with charcoal briquettes. Keep the fires small and never directly expose the pods to the fire so they won't dry unevenly or burn. The intention is to dry the pods slowly while flavoring them with smoke. Soak the wood in water before placing it on the coals so the wood will burn slower and create more smoke. The barbecue vents should be opened only partially to allow a small amount of air to enter the barbecue, thus preventing the fires from burning too fast and creating too much heat. Check the pods and the fires hourly and move the pods around, always keeping them away from the fires. It may take up to forty-eight hours to dry the pods completely. The pods will be hard, light in weight, and brown in color when dried. If necessary, let the fires burn through the night. After the pods have dried, remove them from the grill and let them cool. To preserve their flavor, place them in a sip-lock bag. It is best to store them in a cool and dry location. If humidity is kept out of the bags, the chipotles will last for twelve to twenty-four months. Paul W. Bosland New Mexico State University CHILPOTLES EN ADOBO Makes about 3 cups 4 ounces chilpotle mora chiles (about 60) 3 ancho chiles, seeds and veins removed 4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped Leaves of 2 fresh marjoram sprigs or 1/8 teaspoon dried marjoram Leaves of 2 fresh thyme sprigs or 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme Pinch of cumin seeds, crushed 1 bay leaf, torn into small pieces 2 tablespoons olive oil 3/4 cup mild vinegar 3/4 cup strong vinegar 1/4 cup tightly packed dark brown sugar 1 tablespoon sea salt 1.Rinse the chilpotles and drain. Pierce each one all the way through with a sharp fork or skewer. Place in a pressure cooker with water to cover and cook at low pressure for about 15 minutes; they should be soft but not mushy. (Alternatively, cook the chiles with water to cover in a tightly covered nonreactive medium saucepan over low heat for 30 to 40 minutes.) 2.Drain the chilpotles, remove the stems and wipe off any stray seeds clinging to the outside. Set aside. 3.Meanwhile, in a medium nonreactive saucepan, cover the anchos with hot water and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a blender. Add 1 cup of water plus the garlic, marjoram, thyme, cumin seeds, bay leaf and 4 of the cooked chilpotles and blend until almost smooth. 4.Heat the oil in a shallow nonreactive skillet. Add the blended ingredients and fry over moderately high heat for about 3 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking. Add the vinegars, brown sugar, salt and 1/2 cup of water and cook for 5 minutes longer. Then add the remaining chilpotles and cook over moderate heat, scraping the bottom of the pan from time to time to prevent sticking, until the sauce has reduced and thickened, about 15 minutes. (MAKE AHEAD: The Chilpotles en Adobo can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Before using, place in a medium saucepan, moisten with a little vinegar and bring to a boil. Let boil for a few minutes.) Judy