Table Salsa Recipes

RESTAURANT-STYLE SALSA

Steps:

• Combine the diced tomatoes, whole tomatoes, cilantro, onions, garlic, jalapeno, cumin, salt, sugar and lime juice in a blender or food processor. (This is a very large batch. I recommend using a 12-cup food processor, or you can process the ingredients in batches and then mix everything together in a large mixing bowl.)
• Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you'd like. I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.
• Refrigerate the salsa for at least an hour before serving.

SUE'S MEXICAN TABLE SALSA

Steps:

• About one hour before, tear off the stems and any woody part from the dried chiles.
• Shake out all the seeds, and tear them up (like you are ripping up an evil credit card) and place them into a heatproof bowl.
• Cover torn chiles with the 4 cups boiling water (make sure they are covered well- add more boiling water if needed).
• Weigh the top of the chiles down with a heatproof plate (just to make sure they stay submerged).
• Allow them to soften in the hot water for about 1 hour.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the chiles from the water, but do not discard the water (set it aside for now).
• Place the softened chiles in a blender or food processor, along with the chopped 1/2 onion, salt, garlic, red wine vinegar, and lime juice.
• Puree mixture until smooth, adding 3/4-1 cup of the reserved soaking liquid to get the consistency you like (discard any liquid you don't need or save it to cook with rice).
• Pour pureed salsa into a bowl, and stir in the minced chiles (protect your hands if you want with gloves while mincing) (use habanero, jalapeno or whatever kind you like or have) and chopped cilantro.
• If you have not protected your hands with gloves while mincing the hot chiles, wash them several times with dishwashing liquid to help remove some of the volatile oils.
• And don't rub your eyes.
• The salsa may get hotter as it sits for awhile with those minced chiles, so consider that when deciding how many chiles to use.
• Adjust seasonings for salt (if necessary) and serve with warmed chips or over food.

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN STYLE TABLE SALSA

Steps:

• In medium saucepan add onion, tomatillo and serrano and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and boil until tomatillo is soft and changes color to a more yellow color (about 10 minutes). While these are boiling, add a few tablespoons of oil to a small saute pan over medium heat. Add the chiltepins and chile pequins for about 10 seconds and remove to drain on a paper towel. Let cool completely. When vegetables are done boiling remove from water and let cool completely. Add everything into a blender and process until smooth.
• Notes - I use 12 chile pequins and 10 chiltepins but I like my salsa pretty hot. Sometimes I will just use my deep fat fryer to toast the chiles instead of using the saute pan.
• If you like your salsa more chunky, reserve half of the tomatoes and the onion, dice and stir in at the end.

TABLE SALSA

Steps:

• In a small pot, bring the broth to a boil. Meanwhile, in a heavy skillet over medium heat, toast all the chilies, turning, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add the oil and garlic and fry until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer the chilies, oil and garlic to the broth, reduce heat and simmer, covered, 30 minutes. Strain.
• Place 1/2 cup of the liquid and the garlic in a blender or food processor. When the chilies are cool, chop each into 4 pieces, add to the blender and puree. Gradually add the rest of the liquid and the salt. Adjust seasoning. Can be refrigerated for up to a week.

FRESH RESTAURANT-STYLE SALSA

Steps:

• Combine canned and fresh tomatoes, onion, and garlic in a food processor; pulse 5 times to chop. Add cilantro, serrano and jalapeno peppers, lime juice, salt, and cumin and process for 10 seconds. Pulse further to desired consistency. Check and adjust seasoning as desired.