Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   3      large         dried ancho chiles -- stems
                        seeds removed
   1                    dried pasilla chile -- stem
                        seeds removed
   1      large         onion -- chopped
   2      cloves        garlic -- chopped
     1/2  teaspoon      dried oregano
     1/4  teaspoon      ground cumin
     1/4  cup           vegetable oil
     1/4  cup           distilled white vinegar
   1 1/2  teaspoons     sugar
   1 1/2  pounds        large shrimp -- shelled
                        deveined

Preparation:

Serves 6 Cover the chiles with hot water and let them sit for 15 minutes or until softened. Combine chiles and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the water they were soaking in, onion, garlic, oregano, and cumin in a blender and puree to a smooth paste. Sauté the chile mixture in the oil for 5 minutes, add the vinegar and sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the sauce is very thick, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add shrimp to sauce and toss to coat, then simmer for 5 to 8 minutes or until the shrimp are done. The Whole Chili Pepper From the collection of Jim Vorheis