Portuguese Salsa Recipes

PORTUGUESE PIRI-PIRI HOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Coarsely chop the peppers and discard stems.
• Place the chilis and their seeds, the garlic, lemon juice, salt, and as much of the oil as you wish in a food processor fitted with a metal blade and purée. Pour the mixture into a small glass jar and let steep for several days in the fridge.
• You can strain the mixture and return it to jar, but I like mine with a bit of texture. Sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 1 month.

PORTUGUESE FAMILY SALSA

Steps:

• The trick to this salsa is the chunkier the better! This is not the "tomato paste with a few peppers" salsa you get at your local Mazatlan. This is the freshest Pico de Gallo you can imagine. How good it tastes is solely based on your tasting the results each step of the process (the most enjoyable part!).
• So, get out your largest cutting boards, your sharpest knifes, small bowls for each ingredient, your grater, one big steal bowl, and a wooden spoon. This can be a fun kids or couple project if you want to include others.
• Essentially hand dice everything in their own neat little piles to be placed in their own respective bowls (except for the tomatoes which should be placed in the big bowl). Grate the carrots and cabbage with large holes next.
• Open the two 4 oz cans of "La Victoria" diced jalapeños three quarters of the way and then drain the juices one at a time into the bowl with the tomatoes. Once drained, dice up SOME of the contents of the cans, but don't use too much. It is easier to get the spiciness you require by tasting with only the tomatoes up front. As soon as you can sense a light aftertaste/tangyness of jalapeños, you are there. I like mine a bit on the hot side and typically dice about two solid tea spoons of actual jalapeños. I only use one and a half cans of the juice. When this step is complete, pile in the onions, carrots, cilantro, and cabbage. Squeeze in some lime juice, add some salt to taste, and it is finished!
• This salsa is a simple/healthy recipe, but so delicious. If invited to a dinner party, I will often drop by our local market and grab all of the ingredients (no bags necessary), whip up a jar and bring it along with blue chips. People can taste the difference right away between store bought and fresh homemade organic salsa.
• Ps. Always keep the bottom of the batch at home for yourself though. Day two is even better.

PORTUGUESE SALSA

Steps:

• Thinly slice peppers, celery and green onions. You can use a food processor with the slicing blade if you have one (buddy-up the green onions with the celery so they cut cleanly!).
• Throw everybody in a bowl and add couple good splashes of olive oil + red wine vinegar, a dash of salt and a good dash of pepper!