Ancho Chiles

[A R Price]

I have a lentil soup recipe that calls for pureed ancho chiles. I have some dried chiles called California Chiles on hand. The package says they are a mild chile. I have two questions.

Are these ancho chiles in disguise...a name change by the people who sell them perhaps?

If not, do you suppose I can use them instead of ancho chiles?

Anne

[Gail]

Anchos are dried chiles poblanos; Californias are dried Anaheim chiles. The anchos are a bit spicier than the Californias but you can use them interchangeably.

Hope that helps!