Grilled Salsa Roja Food

SALSA ROJA

Steps:

• Tear all the chiles into large pieces and toast them in a large dry skillet over medium heat until they change color a bit, about 2 minutes. Add the spices and continue to toast for 2 to 3 minutes until everything is fragrant. Remove from heat and carefully add about 1 cup of hot water to just cover the chiles. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler. Put the quartered tomatoes, sliced onion, and whole garlic cloves onto a roasting tray, spreading out evenly. Drizzle with plenty of olive oil and season well with salt and pepper and sprinkle with cilantro sprigs. Broil until everything is nicely charred, about 10 minutes (you want lots of deep rich color so don't be afraid if some of the edges get pretty black).
• Add the chile mixture to a blender and puree. Remove the tomato/onion mixture from the roasting pan and carefully add it to the blender, (it will be hot). Blend until smooth (you may need to work in 2 batches). Once everything is pureed, pour the mixture back into the pot over low heat adding a little water if the salsa is too thick. Stir in the sugar and lime juice and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a large serving bowl and serve.

GRILLED SERRANO SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Thread chiles onto skewer and grill, turning often, until charred and softened, about 6 minutes. Let cool; remove stems.
• Meanwhile, pluck leaves from basil and leaves and tender stems from cilantro and parsley. (You should have about 2 cups of each herb.)
• Pulse chiles, basil, cilantro, and parsley in a food processor until finely chopped. Add oil, vinegar, and salt and pulse until a thick, slightly textured sauce forms.
• Sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.

CHARRED SALSA ROJA

Steps:

• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the tomatoes, garlic, chiles and onion and cook, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides, about 3 minutes for the garlic, 4 to 5 minutes for the chiles, 6 to 8 minutes for the onion and 8 to 10 minutes for the tomatoes. Transfer to a plate to cool. When cool enough to handle, peel the garlic.
• Add the tomatoes, garlic, chiles, onion, cilantro, lime juice and 1 tablespoon salt to a blender and puree on low speed, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom to ensure an even texture, until the salsa is almost smooth but some small pieces remain. Season with salt and more lime juice if needed.

SALSA VERDE O ROJA CRUDA

Steps:

• If making salsa verde, blend tomatillos, avocado, onion, garlic, chile, cilantro, and 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a blender on medium-low speed until salsa is smooth. Taste and season with more salt if needed. (Do not blend on higher than medium speed or your salsa will be airy and taste like a smoothie.)
• If making salsa roja, blend tomatoes, onion, garlic, chile, cilantro, 1 Tbsp. lime juice, and 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a blender on medium-low speed until salsa is smooth. Taste and season with more salt and lime juice if needed.
• Do Ahead: Salsa can be made 2 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.

SALSA ROJA CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken between 2 sheets of heavy plastic on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound chicken with the smooth side of a meat mallet to 1/2-inch thickness.
• Combine flour, salt, and ground black pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken in flour mixture.
• Coat a large skillet with olive oil; heat over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and add chicken; cook until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Flip chicken and continue cooking until second side is golden brown, about 4 minutes more.
• Stir diced tomatoes, salsa, chili powder, and cumin into the skillet. Cook until flavors combine, 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken stock and lime juice; stir to blend. Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Add 3 ounces cotija cheese and tortilla pieces to the sauce; simmer, about 1 minute. Spoon sauce over chicken on the platter.
• Garnish chicken with remaining 1 ounce cotija cheese and fresh cilantro.

SALSA ROJA

Steps:

• Grill all veggies except cilantro and salt until they blacken, removing each one as they do.
• Remove stems froom veggies and also seeds from peppers, if preferred.
• Place ingredients in a food processor and pulse until desired consistency is achieved.
• Taste for salt and adjust if needed.
• Chill until needed.