Salsa Roja De Molcajete Stone Ground Red Salsa Food

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 DE MOLCAJETE

Steps:

• On a comal, roast the serranos and tomatoes for 5 to 10 minutes or until they are charred. Discard the very black skin. In a molcajete, with a tejolote, grind the serranos and garlic and add salt and pepper. When they are roughly ground, add the tomatoes and continue grinding.
• Serve in the molcajete or a small bowl.

SALSA ROJA DE MOLCAJETE (STONE-GROUND RED SALSA)

Steps:

• On a comal or in a cast-iron skillet over moderately high heat, dry-roast the tomatoes, jalapeños, and garlic. When the garlic's papery outer skin starts to brown, remove the garlic from the pan and carefully peel it, discarding the skin. Continue roasting the tomatoes and jalapeños until soft and blackened on all sides. Transfer to a plate to cool. Peel the jalapeños and remove the stems. (Jalapeños can be spicy and leave their heat on your hands, so wear gloves or use caution when handling.) Peel and core the tomatoes.
• Place the jalapeños and garlic in a molcajete, blender, or food processor and season with the salt. Grind with the pestle or process until a paste forms. Add the tomatoes, one at a time, and grind or process until smooth. Season generously with salt.

RUSTIC ROASTED TOMATO SALSA (SALSA DE MOLCAJETE)

Steps:

• Set a small skillet over medium heat. Lay the chilis and garlic in the skillet and dry-roast until soft and blotchy black in spots, about 10 minutes for the chilis, about 15 minutes for the garlic.
• While the chilis and garlic are roasting, scoop the chopped onion into a strainer and rinse under cold water. Shake off the excess water and pour into a medium bowl.
• Pull the stems off the roasted chilis and peel the papery skins off the garlic. Scoop them into a food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped. Add the tomatoes, with their juice, re-cover and pulse a few more times, until the mixture is as coarse or smooth as you want your salsa to be.
• Pour the tomato mixture into the bowl with the onion. Add the cilantro and stir thoroughly. Thin with a little water, if necessary, to give the salsa an easily spoonable consistency. Taste and season with the lime juice or vinegar, if using, and salt, usually about ½ teaspoons If not using within an hour or two, cover and refrigerate.
• Note: If you're not planning to use the salsa within a few hours, wait until you're ready to serve to add the onions and cilantro.
• Using fresh tomatoes:.
• Roast 4 medium to large tomatillos, husked, rinsed and quartered, close up under a hot broiler until blistered and blackened in spots, then flip them over and roast the other side. Peel off the skin, chop them and use them in the salsa.