Spring Onion Salsa Recipes

ROASTED GREEN ONION SALSA VERDE, NIGHTSHADE FREE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 F / 230 C. Pour the avocado oil onto a rimmed baking sheet. When the oven comes up to temperature, place the oiled baking sheet into the oven until the oil is shimmering hot (although not smoking), about 5 - 6 minutes.
• Trim the roots from the green onions. Slice the top of the head of garlic off and discard. Cut the onion in half through the root, then peel and discard the skin. When the oiled baking sheet is hot as described above, use tongs to place the onion on the sheet, cut sides down. Add the head of garlic, cut side up, as well as the green onions. Spread the green onions out so they're as close to a single layer as you can manage. Be careful, as the hot oil may splatter a little when the vegetables are added and make sure none of the green onion tips overlap the edge of the baking sheet, or they will burn.
• Roast the green onions, turning every five minutes or so, until they are tender and soft, with golden charred marks throughout. For larger, thicker, wild or farmer's market green onions, this will take 15 - 20 minutes. For thinner, smaller or grocery store green onions, this will take much less time, so you'll want to watch them at around the 10 - 12 minute mark. You'll need to keep an eye on them, because you want lovely golden brown char marks, but you don't want the green onions to burn or blacken as that will result in a bitter salsa. When the green onions are done, remove them from the baking sheet and continue to roast the onion and garlic until the onion halves are a deep golden brown, about 20 - 25 minutes total cook time.
• Set the garlic aside to cool slightly. Remove the root ends of the onion and roughly chop the onion into a few chunks. Add the green onions (both white and green parts) and onion to a high powered blender, along with the chicken broth, cilantro, lime juice and sea salt. When the garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze the roasted garlic from the cloves and add it to the blender, too. Puree on high until the salsa is evenly combined and smooth. Taste and add additional lime juice or salt if you like. For a thinner salsa, just add an extra splash or so of broth or water.
• Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 - 3 days or the freezer for a few months. The salsa will separate a little after some time in the fridge, but a quick stir will set things right again.

SPRING ONION SALSA

Steps:

• In a small bowl mix all the ingredients together to marinate for a short while.
• Eat!

CHERRY AND SPRING ONION SALSA

Steps:

• Finely dice spring onion bulb and greens. Place 3 tablespoons diced bulb and 1 tablespoon greens in a small bowl and pour lemon juice over them. Set aside for 10 minutes to macerate.
• Halve the cherries and slice into slivers. Place cherries, herbs, jalapeño, olive oil and salt in a medium-size bowl and stir to combine.
• Add onion and greens, taste and add more salt and lemon juice if needed.
• Let the salsa sit for at least 5 minutes to meld flavors.

SPRING ONION AND RICOTTA FRITTERS WITH AVOCADO SALSA

Steps:

• THE SALSA: Peel, stone and dice the avocados. Place in a bowl with the red onion, lime rind and juice. Add chilli, to taste (or sweet red pepper if you don't like spicy food), the tomatoes, mint and coriander. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, sugar and Thai fish sauce (omit this if you don't like spicy food). Mix well and set aside for 30 minutes.
• THE FRITTERS: Beat the ricotta until smooth, then beat in the egg and flour, then the flour, to make a smooth, thick batter. Then beat in the spring onions and coriander and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat the oil in a non-stick pan over a medium heat. Add spoonfuls of the batter mixture to make fritters (about 7.5 centimetres or 3" across) and lightly sauté for about 4-5 minutes on each side until the batter mixture has set and is a golden brown.
• SERVING: Taste the salsa and adjust the seasoning, adding more lime juice and/or sugar to taste. Serve the fritters with the salsa and dollops of crème fraiche. Garnish with coriander sprigs and lime wedges.

SPRING ONION & HALLOUMI BRUSCHETTA WITH CARROT & SAFFRON SALSA

Steps:

• If you want to reduce the saltiness of the halloumi, soak it for two hours beforehand in cold water.
• Cut the halloumi evenly into 8 slices across the width of the cheese. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Toss the carrots together with the olive oil, saffron, lemon juice and some seasoning. Tip onto a baking tray and roast for 20 mins or until tender and golden. Leave to cool, then tip into a food processor with the almonds and coarsely blitz. Scrape the salsa out into a bowl and add the chopped coriander. Mix well and add more seasoning or lemon juice if needed.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan. Thoroughly pat dry the halloumi slices. When the pan is hot, carefully place in the pan and cook over a medium heat until golden brown, then turn over and cook until the other side is golden.
• While the cheese is cooking, toast the sourdough, then rub one side with garlic. Place a piece of toast on each of 4 plates and top with 2 slices of halloumi. Add the spring onions to the pan and cook for a couple of mins on each side until wilting and a little golden. Put 3 spring onions on each halloumi-topped sourdough slice, then generously spoon over the carrot & saffron salsa. Serve with chicory leaves.

CRUNCHY CORN & PEPPER SALSA

Steps:

• Stir all the dressing ingredients together in a medium bowl with some salt and pepper. Toss in the spring onions, sweetcorn and finely chopped red pepper. Can be made up to a day in advance and chilled. Let the salsa stand at room temperature for about 20 mins before serving.