Tomato Serrano Salsa Recipes

TOMATO-SERRANO SALSA

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes and chiles in a medium bowl. Place minced onion in a strainer; rinse under cold water for 10 seconds. Drain well and add to bowl with tomatoes. Stir in cilantro and lime juice. Season with salt. Serve with tortilla chips. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill (salsa will get hotter the longer it sits).

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.

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.

ROASTED TOMATO AND SERRANO CHILE SALSA

Steps:

• Roast the tomatoes on a griddle until they blacken on all sides.
• Remove and set aside.
• Toast the garlic cloves until they soften.
• Meanwhile, toast the chiles until they brown on the sides.
• Place the garlic, chiles and a few tomatoes into a blender; blend until smooth, then add the rest of the tomatoes.
• Turn on the blender very briefly, leaving tomatoes with a rough texture.
• Remove the salsa from the blender, add the cilantro, and season with salt.

CHOPPED-TOMATO-AND-SERRANO SALSA

Steps:

• Place the onion in a fine sieve, and rinse under cold running water; shake sieve to remove any excess water. Transfer onion to a medium bowl, and add the remaining ingredients. Stir to combine, and let stand a few minutes so flavors meld. Store salsa in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 1 week.

FRESH TOMATO SALSA

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together tomatoes, onion, chili peppers, cilantro, salt, and lime juice. Chill for one hour in the refrigerator before serving.

FRESH TOMATO MEXICAN SALSA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve with chips.

CHUNKY TOMATO SALSA

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the first nine ingredients. Stir in the tomato paste, vinegar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring frequently. Cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Serve with chips.