Chef John Salsa Recipes

CINCO DE MAYO SALSA CRUDA

Steps:

• Drain tomatoes in a strainer for 15 minutes.
• Combine tomatoes, onion, jalapeno pepper, serrano pepper, and garlic in a large bowl. Pour lime juice over the top. Stir in oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, sugar, mint, and cilantro. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Season with salt to taste.

CHEF JOHN'S HARISSA SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven's broiler and set the oven rack at about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place red bell peppers with cut sides down onto the prepared baking sheet. Cook under the preheated broiler until the skin of the peppers has blackened and blistered, 5 to 8 minutes. Place the blackened peppers into a bowl and tightly seal with plastic wrap. Allow the peppers to steam as they cool, about 20 minutes. Remove and discard skins.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add Fresno and habanero chiles and cook uncovered over medium heat until vegetables start to soften, about 3 minutes; drain and set aside to cool. Remove seeds and membranes from chiles (wear gloves); set aside.
• Shake coriander and caraway seeds in a skillet over medium heat until you start to smell the spice, about 2 minutes. Use a mortar and pestle to crush toasted seeds; add cumin, mint, and salt, and crush until finely ground. Transfer spices to a blender and add roasted bell peppers, chiles, garlic, lemon juice, and vegetable oil; puree until smooth. Drizzle in extra-virgin olive oil at the end, blending for only a few seconds.

CHEF JOHN'S GREEN SAUCE

Steps:

• Crush garlic and salt in a molcajete or with a mortar and pestle until garlic has a paste-like texture. Add parsley, capers, and anchovy paste; grind into garlic until mixture is coarsely ground.n
• Stir oil and vinegar into parsley mixture.n

FIRE-ROASTED CHERRY TOMATO SALSA

Steps:

• Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and brush with olive oil.
• Spread tomatoes, onion, garlic, and jalapeno peppers onto prepared baking sheet.
• Cook under the preheated broiler for 5 minutes. Turn the baking sheet and continue broiling until vegetables are charred, about 5 minutes more. Cool slightly.
• Remove garlic from skins; discard skins.
• Blend tomatoes, onion, peeled garlic, jalapenos, any accumulated juices from the baking sheet, cilantro leaves, lime juice, cumin, cayenne pepper, and oregano in a blender until salsa is smooth. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until flavors blend, at least 2 hours. Season with salt and black pepper.