Rick Bayless Roasted Chipotle Salsa Food

RICK'S ESSENTIAL ROASTED TOMATILLO-CHIPOTLE SALSA

Steps:

• Set an ungreased griddle or heavy skillet over medium heat. If using dried chiles, break off their stems. Toast the chiles a few at a time. Set them on the hot surface, press flat for a few seconds with a metal spatula (they'll crackle faintly and release their smoky aroma), then flip, and press down to toast the other side. Transfer the toasted chiles to a bowl, cover with hot water, and let rehydrate for 30 minutes, stirring regularly to ensure even soaking. Pour off all the water, and discard. If using canned chiles, simply remove them from the adobo sauce in which they are packed.
• On a heavy, ungreased skillet or griddle over medium heat, roast the unpeeled garlic, turning occasionally, until blackened in spots and soft, about 15 minutes. Cool, slip off the papery skins, and chop roughly.
• Preheat the broiler. Place the tomatillos on a baking sheet, and place in broiler about 4 inches from heat. When, after about 5 minutes, the tomatillos have blistered, blackened, and softened on one side, turn them over, and roast on the other side. Cool completely on the baking sheet.
• Scrape the tomatillos (and any juices that have accumulated around them) into a molcajete, food processor, or blender, and add the rehydrated or canned chiles and garlic. Combine until everything is thick and relatively smooth. For a chunkier alternative, scrape the tomatillos and juices into a molcajete, food processor, or blender, and add the garlic. Combine until everything is coarsely pureed. Chop the chiles into tiny bits, then stir them into the tomatillo mixture. Transfer salsa to a serving bowl, and add enough water to give the salsa an easily spoonable consistency, about 3 to 4 tablespoons. Season with salt, and add sugar if you want to soften its tangy edge.

SIMPLE CHIPOTLE CHILAQUILES

Steps:

• Heat the broiler. Spread the tomatoes onto a baking sheet and broil until they are darkly roasted, about 6 minutes a side.
• (Note: Chef Bayless uses half a large onion, but this recipe has substituted 1 small onion instead.) Cut the onion in half, then cut both halves into ¼-inch slices; reserve half of the slices for garnish. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or a deep, large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the sliced onion and cook, stirring regularly, until golden, about 7 minutes. Peel and mince the garlic cloves; add to golden onions and stir until soft, 1 more minute.
• Remove the roasted tomatoes from the oven and transfer to a blender. Add the chipotles and blend to a coarse purée. Pour the mixture into the pan with the sautéed onions and garlic; cook over medium-high heat until the sauce has thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the epazote or cilantro and the broth. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a rolling boil; taste and add more salt if necessary. Add the chips and make sure they are coated with the sauce; then cover the pan and turn off the heat. Allow to rest until the chips have soaked up the sauce, 5 minutes.
• Gently stir the chilaquiles before spooning them into a serving dish. Top with the remaining half of the onion slices and garnish with the crema, queso anejo, and additional epazote or cilantro.

MEXICAN CHICKEN SALAD WITH GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Marinade/Dressing: Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and chile, and cook until the garlic is soft and lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Cool, reserving the oil.
• In a blender, add the lime juice, cilantro, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and the garlic and chile oil. Purée until smooth. Lay the chicken breasts into a large baking dish; pour a third of the marinade on top, then use tongs to evenly coat the thicken. Marinate in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour.
• Heat a grill pan or gas grill to medium to medium-high heat. (Alternatively, start a charcoal fire and let it burn until the coals are medium-hot and covered with white ash.) Lightly brush the onion slices with oil and season with salt. Grill the onion slices and the chicken until the chicken is cooked through and the onion is well-browned, 5-6 minutes per side.
• Guacamole: Chop the grilled onion into small pieces and set aside in a bowl. Pit and peel the avocados; add the flesh to the onion. Add half the remaining Marinade/Dressing; then coarsely mash everything together with a potato masher, large fork, or the back of a spoon. Taste and season with salt, about ½ teaspoon.
• Salad: Put sliced romaine into a large bowl. Add about half the remaining Marinade/Dressing, and toss to combine.
• Assembly: Divide the dressed romaine among four plates. Dollop a portion of the guacamole into the center of each plate. Cut the grilled chicken into cubes and arrange over the guacamole. Sprinkle with cheese and drizzle with remaining Marinade/Dressing before serving.

CHIPOTLE-CASCABEL SALSA WITH ROASTED TOMATOES AND TOMATILLOS

Steps:

• Pull the stems off chiles and place them in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Stir and press down regularly until chiles have darkened a little in spots and they fill the kitchen with spicy aroma, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Scoop chiles into a bowl and pour very hot water on them and lay a small plate to keep them submerged for no more than 30 minutes.
• Lay tomatillos and tomatoes on a baking sheet and set the pan 4 inches below the broiler and let broil until they are softened and black in places, about 5 minutes. The skin will split. Flip the tomatillos and tomatoes and roast other side for 5-6 more minutes or so until completely softened and darkened on the other side. Set aside to cool.
• Turn oven to 425 F and lay onion rings and garlic on a baking pan and bake until onions are deeply golden and garlic soft and browned in spots, about 15 minutes. Stir every couple of minutes. Cool to room temperature.
• In a blender or food processor, pulse onion and garlic until finely chopped but not pasty smooth. Scoop into a bowl.
• Peel the skin off the cooled tomatoes and cut out the cores but catch all the juices.
• Place drained chiles, tomatoes with their juices, and tomatillos in a blender or food processor. Pulse a few times and let the machine run until everything is finely pureed about 1-2 minutes. Pour this mixture into a bowl with onion and garlic and stir in fresh thyme and enough water to give it an spoonable consistency.
• Taste, then season with salt and sugar. Use within 5 days or freeze.