Ingredients

  • 4 ancho chilesstems, seeds, and veins removed
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken stock or water
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1 garlic clove, coarsely chopped
  • 1/8 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • Salt
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 ounces angel hair pasta or very fine vermicelli, preferably in nests or skeins
  • 1/3 cup finely grated queso anejo or Romano cheese, avocado slices and quartered limes

Method

  • In a nonreactive medium sauce-pan, cover the chiles with water and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and let soak until soft, 5 more minutes.
  • Drain.
  • Pour 1/4 cup of the chicken stock into the blender, add the cloves, garlic and cumin seeds and blend until smooth.
  • Season with salt.
  • Add 1 more cup of the stock and the drained chiles, a few at a time, and blend until smooth, adding more stock if necessary.
  • Heat the oil in a large heavy saucepan.
  • Add the pasta and fry, turning, until it has turned a deep golden color, about 3 minutes (keep the nests intact).
  • Strain off excess oil.
  • Add the blended sauce to the pasta in the skillet and fry over moderate heat for about 3 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking.
  • Cover and cook over low heat, adding the remaining stock a little at a time to prevent sticking, until the pasta is just cooked through, 5 to 8 minutes.
  • Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with the cheese and serve with the avocado and limes.