Fresh Serrano Chile Salsa Recipes

CHILE DE ARBOL SALSA RECIPE

Steps:

• Bring 4 cups water to a boil, then remove from heat.
• Remove the stems and seeds from the dried chile de arbol peppers. Removing the seeds is optional for a smoother, less seedy salsa.
• Dry toast the chile de arbol peppers in a dry pan, about a minute per side. This will help loosen them and release their natural oils.
• Add the toasted peppers to a bowl and cover with the very hot water. Soak them for 15 minutes, or until the peppers are softened. You may need to stir a bit to make sure all of the peppers are submerged.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes to soften. Add the garlic and cook another minute, until you can smell the garlic. Add it to a food processor or blender.
• Add the rehydrated peppers to the food processor or blender along with the onion, garlic, cilantro (if using), lime juice and salt.
• Process until smooth.
• Taste and adjust with salt and a few splashes of water for a thinner salsa.
• Add all of the ingredients to a food processor. Process until smooth.
• Pour the mixture into a small pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Cool and serve.

FRESH CHILI SALSA

Steps:

• Broil peppers 4 in. from the heat until skins blister, about 4 minutes. With tongs, rotate peppers a quarter turn. Broil and rotate until all sides are blistered and blackened. Immediately place peppers in a small bowl; cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Peel off and discard charred skin. Remove stems and seeds. Finely chop peppers., Place tomatillos in a small saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes or until tomatillos begin to soften; drain. Cool to room temperature., Chop tomatillos; place in a small bowl. Add the tomatoes, onion, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, salt and roasted peppers. Serve with chips.

SERRANO SALSA

Steps:

• Add olive oil to a medium-sized sauté pan.
• Place over medium-high heat.
• When oil is hot, stir in Serrano chilies and garlic.
• Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring often so garlic does not burn.
• Add onion and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add yellow pepper, sauté for 1 minute.
• Stir in tomato paste, brown sugar, oregano and coriander; cook for 1 minute.
• Add tomatoes, vinegar, salt, pepper and capers.
• Turn up heat to high and bring sauce to slight boil; remove from heat immediately.
• The vegetables should retain crispness.
• Chill thoroughly before serving.

FRESH SERRANO CHILE SALSA

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix the serranos, onion, and lime juice; let marinate about 10 minutes.
• Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
• Refrigerate; serve cold.

ESSENTIAL CHOPPED TOMATO-SERRANO SALSA (SALSA MEXICANA CLASSICA)

Steps:

• Core the tomatoes, then cut in half widthwise and squeeze out the seeds if you wish (it will give the sauce a less rustic appearance). Finely dice the flesh by slicing it into roughly 1/4-inch thick pieces, then cutting each slice into small dice. Scoop into a bowl.
• Cut the chiles in half lengthwise (wear rubber gloves if your hands are sensitive to the piquancy of the chiles) and scrape out the seeds if you wish (not only will this make the salsa seem less rustic, but it will make it a little less picante). Chop the chiles as finely as you can, then add them to the tomatoes. Carefully bunch up the cilantro sprigs, and, with a sharp knife, slice them 1/16-inch thick, stems and all, working your way down from the leafy end until you run out of leaves. Scoop the chopped cilantro into the tomato mixture along with the optional garlic. Next, finely dice the onion with a knife (a food processor will turn it into a sour mess), scoop it into a small strainer, then rinse it under cold water. Shake to remove the excess water and add to the tomato mixture. Taste and season with lime juice and salt, and let stand if you have a little time, for the flavors to meld before using or scooping into a salsa dish and serving.

TOMATO, ONION, AND SERRANO CHILE SALSA

Steps:

• Seed and dice 10 tomato halves; transfer to large bowl. Place remaining tomatoes in blender; add onion, lime juice, chiles, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Add cilantro. Pulse just to mix in cilantro. Pour tomato puree into bowl with diced tomatoes. Stir to blend. Season salsa to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)