Jeffs Salsa Recipes

RESTAURANT STYLE SALSA

Steps:

• Place onion and jalapeno in the food processor first, then add remaining ingredients (start with 1/2 tbsp lime juice).
• Blitz to desired consistency - I like mine pretty smooth because you get better flavour out of the onion etc.
• Taste test with corn chip for salt and lime. Adjust if necessary.
• Refrigerate 1 hour before serving with corn chips, or other dippers (see in post for suggestions).

GRILLED MEXICAN STREET CORN SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to high heat. Oil the grates well.
• Put the corn, scallions, jalapenos and bell pepper directly on the grates. Grill, turning, until charred on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes for the scallions, 5 to 8 minutes for the peppers and 8 to 10 minutes for the corn; set aside to cool.
• In a medium bowl, add the sour cream, mayo, chipotle chili powder, lime zest and juice and garlic and mix to combine.
• Slice the corn kernels from the cobs. Remove the ribs and seeds from the red pepper and cut into small dice. Chop the scallions and dice the jalapenos (seeds and ribs removed to taste). Put the corn, red pepper, jalapenos, scallions and beans in the bowl with the dressing and mix to combine while the veggies are still slightly warm. Sprinkle the Pecorino-Romano over the salad. Season with salt and pepper and add a dash of hot sauce if desired. Top with the cilantro and crispy bacon and serve immediately slightly warm, or refrigerate until ready to serve.

APRICOT HABANERO PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• For the pork chops: Season the pork chops with salt and pepper; set aside while making the glaze.
• Add the apricot preserves, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, orange zest and juice and habanero to a small pot and bring to a simmer. Simmer until the sauce is reduced and thickened, 10 to 15 minutes; let cool. Divide the glaze between 2 bowls, reserving 1 bowl for basting and one for serving with the cooked chops.
• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Coat the grates with plenty of vegetable oil to help create a nonstick surface.
• Using a brush, coat the chops with the first round of glaze. Place them on the grill glazed-side down and grill without moving until the glaze begins to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Brush the tops with glaze, flip the chops, brush the other side with more glaze and continue cooking until the chops are caramelized, charred and sticky and the internal temperature registers 135 degrees F, another 7 to 10 minutes. Discard the basting glaze. Let the chops rest for 5 to 10 minutes, coating them once with the reserved serving glaze while resting.
• For the relish: Combine the mint, apple, bell pepper, scallion and lime zest and juice in a bowl and toss to coat.
• Top the pork chops with some green apple relish and serve with the remaining serving glaze and relish.

AMERICA'S FAVORITE CHILI

Steps:

• Heat a large pot over medium heat and add oil. Add beef and sprinkle with baking powder. Brown beef, stirring to break up into smaller chunks, until no longer pink, 5 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove beef to a bowl.
• Add onions to pot and turn heat down to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in chile powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne and oregano and cook for another 2 minutes to bloom. Add garlic and saute for 30 more seconds. Add beef stock, demi-glace, tomatoes and beans. Add beef back in along with any reserved juices and simmer, partially covered and stirring frequently, for 2 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Garnish with scallions, cilantro, sour cream, pickled jalapenos and aged Cheddar.

JEFF'S FRESH BLACK BEAN SALSA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together the diced onion, juice of 2 limes, and kosher salt. Let stand at room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes (this will soften the bite of the onion).
• In a large pot with a steamer insert add about 2 inches of water. Add the corn and steam until just cooked through, about 5 to 8 minutes. Then shock the corn in cold water until cool to the touch. With a paring knife, carefully shave off the niblets onto a cutting board. A good way to do this is to slice off about 1/2-inch of the end of the corn cob. Hold the cob upright with the flat end on the board and shave with knife tip pointed downward at 4 o'clock. Don't cut into the cob. Tweeze and pick through the kernels with fingers, pulling out wayward strands of corn silk. While nothing beats fresh corn for this recipe (and this is a lot easier than it sounds) a close second is a good quality frozen corn. NEVER USE CANNED CORN!
• Pour the tomatoes into a colander over the sink, and with your hands squeeze out the liquid without overly squishing them. Loosely chop the tomatoes into 1/2-inch chunks.
• Toss the corn, tomatoes, black beans, green pepper, cilantro, cumin, and habanero into the bowl with the marinated onions. Taste and add more lime juice, salt, cumin, hot pepper or even more cilantro, if needed.

SKIRT STEAK FAJITAS

Steps:

• Cut the skirt steak into 3 equal size pieces and place in a gallon-sized resealable bag.
• Combine the olive oil, lime juice, soy sauce, salt, chile powder and cumin in a bowl. Reserve about 1/4 cup marinade in a squeeze bottle for later use, then pour the rest into the bag with the steaks. Seal the bag and press out all the air, making sure all sides of the steaks are evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Remove the steaks from the bag and shake off any excess marinade. Place on a wire rack-lined baking sheet and return to the fridge, uncovered, for another 2 hours. (This will make sure the steaks get a beautiful rich color when seared.)
• Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil. Give the steaks a generous sprinkle of salt, then put in the hot skillet. Sear until a crust has developed, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a cutting board. Without cleaning the skillet, add the remaining tablespoon canola oil, followed by the peppers and onions, and cook until slightly softened, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, slice each steak in half with the grain. Now turn the steaks 90 degrees and slice against the grain into 1/4-inch strips. When the peppers and onions are almost finished cooking, add the steak to the hot skillet for a final sizzle and season with salt and pepper. Squirt the reserved marinade into the hot skillet to create a steamy sizzle. Serve with the tortillas and any toppings you wish.

JEFF'S SALSA

Steps:

• In a food processer, pulse the peppers, onion and garlic to a coarse chop.
• Add Cilantro and pulse to desired size.
• Add Tomatoes with all remaining ingredients and pulse to around a fine diced texture.
• Let refrigerate for atleast 24 hours before serving.