Best Easy Recado de Especia Recipe

A versatile Yucatán spice paste used to season meats, soups, and stews. This family cooking essential brings the warm, aromatic flavors of black pepper, cloves, and allspice to protein-rich dishes.

Cook 20 min Difficulty NORMAL 44 kcal
#vegetarian #mediterranean
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • dried ancho chiles 4 pieces
  • garlic cloves 6 cloves
  • white onion 0.5 pieces
Seasonings/Sauce
  • ground black pepper 2 tsp
  • ground allspice 0.5 tsp
  • ground cloves 0.25 tsp
  • dried oregano 1 tsp
  • ground cumin 1 tsp
  • kosher salt 1.5 tsp
  • apple cider vinegar 3 tbsp
  • olive oil 3 tbsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 6 g 54%
Protein 1 g 9%
Fat 2 g 37%
Serving size 20g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Toast dried ancho chiles over medium heat for about 2 minutes per side, until fragrant and slightly softened.

  2. 2

    Remove stems and seeds from the toasted chiles, then soak them in hot water for 10 minutes to soften further.

  3. 3

    Drain chiles and add to a blender with garlic cloves and white onion, blending until a coarse paste forms.

  4. 4

    Add all seasoning ingredients to the blender: ground black pepper, allspice, cloves, oregano, cumin, kosher salt, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. Blend on medium speed until the paste is smooth and well-combined.

  5. 5

    Scrape the recado paste into a bowl and let it rest for 10 minutes before using, allowing flavors to meld. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What are the key ingredients that give Recado de Especia its signature flavor?
The essential flavor profile comes from dried ancho chiles, black pepper, cloves, and allspice, with aromatics like garlic and onion. These combine to create the warm, spicy, and aromatic notes that define traditional Recado de Especia.
Q. How is heat controlled during the preparation of this spice paste?
Medium heat is used when toasting the dried chiles, which enhances their aroma without burning them. Soaking the toasted chiles in hot water further softens them for blending, ensuring an optimal paste texture and flavor extraction.
Q. How can I make sure the paste is smooth and not gritty?
Blending the softened chiles with aromatics and adding olive oil and vinegar helps achieve a smooth paste. Letting it rest for 10 minutes after blending allows flavors to combine and texture to settle before use.
Q. What is the nutritional breakdown of Recado de Especia per serving?
Each 20g serving contains 44 kcal, with 6g carbohydrates (54%), 1g protein (9%), and 2g fat (37%). It's a moderately low-calorie spice paste, ideal for flavoring protein-rich dishes.
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