Black Recardo

Description
Makes about 1½ cups

Ingredients

 * 2 tablespoons achiote seeds
 * ¾ cup bitter orange juice (or a mixture of sweet orange juice and fresh lime juice)
 * 2 lbs. dried ancho chiles, seeded and deveined
 * 2 large whole cloves
 * 4 large whole allspice
 * 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
 * 1 tablespoon dried oregano
 * ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
 * 1 head garlic, peeled (about 10 large cloves)
 * salt to taste

Directions

 * 1) Place the achiote seeds in a small bowl, pour the juice over them, and allow to soak 2 – 3 hours.
 * 2) Toast the chiles just until they give off their fragrance, soak them in hot water until they soften, and drain them well.
 * 3) Place all ingredients in a spice mill or food processor and process until they are well blended.
 * 4) They should form a thick paste, the consistency of a chilled cookie dough.