I use red chile, garlic, water and salt. You can start with meat. Brown it and add water and chile powder. I use real red chile powder that I mix myself. Its a combo of a variety of types of red chile in varying heat. Once that is added you add some garlic. Go light on the chile...it blooms in the pot. It will get hotter as it simmers. Thicken with flour and water or corn starch. Its awesome thjis way over fried eggs and potatoes. We never use tomatoes in ours.