Chipotle Hot Sauce

Instructions

1. Soak the chipotles
   Place dried chipotle peppers in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for about 20 minutes until soft and pliable. Reserve 1/4 cup of the soaking liquid and drain the rest.
2. Sauté the aromatics
   Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add remaining ingredients
   Add the chopped tomatoes, soaked chipotles, cumin, oregano, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Pour in the water and apple cider vinegar, along with the reserved soaking liquid. Stir to combine.
4. Simmer the sauce
   Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Blend until smooth
   Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. For a smoother consistency, strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve, pushing down with a spoon to extract all the liquid.
6. Adjust seasoning
   Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, sugar, or vinegar to balance the flavors according to your preference.