Aji Salsa Recipes

AJI CHILE SALSA

Steps:

• Soak 1/3 cup finely diced white onion in ice water 15 minutes; drain. Mix with 1/2 cup each finely diced tomato and chopped cilantro, 1 each seeded minced aji chile and garlic clove, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon lime juice and 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil. Thin with water. Season with salt.

AJI CRIOLLO - GREEN AJI SALSA

Steps:

• Wash the cilantro and dry thoroughly. Separate the leaves from the stems, and place the leaves in a food processor or blender, discarding stems. Chop the green onions and add them to the food processor with the cilantro. Process the mixture in short pulses, until everything is coarsely chopped.
• Mince the chile pepper, removing any stems or seeds. Add minced chile pepper by the teaspoon to the cilantro and onions, pulsing the mixture after each addition, until desired spiciness is obtained.
• Whisk together the vinegar and the juice from 1/2 of the lime. Whisk in the olive oil. Stir the chopped cilantro, green onions and chile pepper mixture into the oil and lime juice. Taste for seasoning and add salt to taste, or more lime juice if desired.
• 4.Store salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve (salsa should keep for up to a week in the fridge).

AJI AMARILLO-PINEAPPLE SALSA

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand 2 hours, tossing occasionally. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• *Available at Latin American markets.

AJI (COLOMBIAN SALSA)

Steps:

• Combine tomato, cilantro, onion, jalapeno pepper, and garlic in a food processor. Add olive oil, lime juice, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and salt; pulse until a coarse paste forms. Mix in green onions.

AJI (COLOMBIAN SALSA)

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients, cover, and let sit in refrigerator for at least an hour so all the flavors develop before serving.

AJí (COLOMBIAN-STYLE FRESH SALSA)

Steps:

• Finely mince the cilantro, onion, scallions and chile by hand, or by roughly chopping, then pulsing in a food processor. Transfer to a medium bowl.
• Working directly in the medium bowl and using a flat palm to press the cut side of the tomato against the large holes of a box grater, grate the tomato until you're left with just the skin. (The skin should protect your hand from the grater.) Discard the skin.
• Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few tablespoons of water. Squeeze with lime juice to taste. Stir to combine. The ají should be quite thin in texture. Add more water as necessary. Taste and season with more salt, if desired. Finished ají can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.