Salsa Roja Recipes

SALSA ROJA

Steps:

• Start by roasting the tomatoes in a 400F oven.
• Use a damp towel to wipe off any dusty crevasses on the dried chiles. To de-seed them it's easiest to cut off the stem and make a slit lengthwise, then use your hands to pull out the ribs and seeds.
• Saute 1/2 onion and 3 whole garlic cloves in a dollop of oil over medium heat. When the onion starts to soften add the dried chiles. (It's worth cutting the chiles into smaller pieces before adding them to the pan.)
• Let the chiles cook for a few minutes and then add the roasted tomatoes to the pan along with: 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, freshly cracked black pepper, 2.5 cups water. (I also add 1 chipotle in adobo and 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce but this is optional.)
• Simmer for 5 minutes or so and then add everything to a blender and combine well.
• Strain the sauce over a mixing bowl and discard the leftover solids. You might have to use a spoon or spatula to push the sauce through the strainer.
• Taste for salt level. I added another pinch of salt along with a splash of cider vinegar.
• Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge (in a squeeze bottle!).

SALSA ROJA RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook the tomato and peppers at medium-high heatuntil tender (about 12-15 minutes).
• Drain the water, reserving a couple of tablespoons in case you need to make the salsa texture thinner. Place the tomato and chili peppers in a food processor or blender
• with the garlic clove and onion. Process until smooth.
• Place the sauce into a bowl or dish. Season with salt. If you want a thinner salsa to add some of the water in which the tomato was cooked.
• Stir well to get an even texture.

SALSA ROJA

Steps:

• Combine vegetable stock, ancho chiles, plum tomatoes, onion, red chile, garlic, brown sugar, vegetable oil, cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Boil mixture for 2 minutes.
• Cover saucepan and remove from heat; let stand for 10 minutes.
• Pour mixture into a blender no more than half full. Cover and hold lid down; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend. Puree in batches until smooth. Transfer salsa to a bowl and stir in vinegar.