2 ounces dried, whole New Mexico (California),
guajillo, or pasilla chiles, or a combination (6 to 8 chiles) 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin seed 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Kosher salt 5 tablespoons lard, vegetable oil, or rendered beef suet 2 1/2
pounds boneless beef chuck, well trimmed and cut into 3 / 4 - inch cubes (to yield 2
pounds after trimming) 1/3 cup finely chopped onion 3 large cloves garlic, minced 2 cups beef stock, or canned low - sodium beef broth, plus more as needed 2 tablespoons masa harina (corn tortilla flour) 1 tablespoon firmly packed dark brown sugar, plus more as needed 1 1/2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar, plus more as needed Sour cream lime wedges
24 dried chile peppers, such as chipotle,
guajillo, ancho, etc. 2 cups hot water 3
pounds ripe plum tomatoes 2 large mild to medium - hot green chiles, such as Anaheims (or bell peppers, if you prefer) 2 small onions 1 head garlic, broken into cloves but not peeled 2 tsp white sugar 1 tsp salt 1 cup white vinegar