Soak the ancho chiles for 1 hour in hot water. Drain and save the water. Seed the chiles and put them in a blender with the rest of the adobo ingredients. Blend until smooth, adding chile water as needed. Transfer to a bowl.
Adobo is the general name for chile or chile-tomato sauces heavily spiked with vinegar and/or citrus juices and spices.