Oaxacan Green Tomatillo Sauce Recipes

OAXACAN GREEN TOMATILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• On a comal or in a heavy dry skillet (preferably cast iron), roast the tomatillos, over medium heat, turning frequently until they are barely tender and the skins are covered with black and brown spots. At the same time, put the garlic in the skillet and roast the cloves until they feel slightly tender when pinched. The pan roasting will take about 15 to 20 minutes. The skillet may be covered for the last 2 to 3 minutes to steam the tomatil1os if they don't feel a little tender when lightly pinched. Peel the outer paper skins from the garlic. Put the roasted tomatillos and garlic into a blender jar. Cover the jar and blend about 6 to 8 seconds to a coarse mixture. In the same skillet used for roasting the tomatillos, heat the oil and saute the onion 3 to 4 minutes, until softened and beginning to brown. Stir in the oregano and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Scrape the onion and oregano into the blender jar. Add the chipotle chiles and adobo sauce. Blend until smooth. Add cilantro and salt. Blend briefly (There should still be a bit of texture). Adjust seasoning. Transfer the salsa to a bowl. Serve at room temperature or cover and refrigerate up to 2 days. NOTE: Sauce will thicken as it sits. Stir it well to bring it together and add a bit of water, if needed.

GREEN TOMATILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak the tomatillos in a bowl of cold water to loosen the husks.
• Drain and peel off the husks.
• Place the tomatillos and garlic in a saucepan with enough water to cover.
• Bring to a boil and cook until the tomatillos are soft, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer the garlic and tomatillos to a blender and puree.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the pureed tomatillos and the onion and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a simmer, and simmer about 10 minutes.

OAXACAN GREEN TOMATILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. On a comal, or in a heavy dry skillet (preferably cast iron), roast the tomatillos, over medium heat, turning frequently, until they are barely tender and the skins are covered with black and brown spots. At the same time, put the garlic in the skillet and roast the cloves until they feel slightly tender when pinched. The pan roasting will take about 15 to 20 minutes. The skillet may be covered for the last 2 to 3 minutes to steam the tomatillos if they don't feel a little tender when lightly pinched. Peel the outer paper skins from the garlic. Put the roasted tomatillos and garlic into a blender jar. Cover the jar and blend about 6 to 8 seconds to a coarse mixture. 2. In the same skillet used for roasting the tomatillos, heat the oil, and sauté the onion 3 to 4 minutes, until softened and beginning to brown. Stir in the oregano and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Scrape the onion and oregano into the blender jar. Add the chipotle chiles and adobo sauce. Blend until smooth. Add cilantro and salt. Blend briefly. (There should still be a bit of texture.) Adjust seasoning. Transfer the salsa to a bowl. Serve at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate up to 2 days. NOTE: Sauce will thicken as it sits. Stir it well to bring it together, and add a bit of water, if needed. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

OAXACAN STRING CHEESE IN GREEN SALSA

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to boil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add tomatillos and jalapeño chile and cook until tomatillos are tender, about 7 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer tomatillos and chile to blender. Add 1/2 cup cooking liquid, cilantro, and garlic. Puree until sauce is almost smooth.
• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add onion and sauté until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add tomatillo sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Mix in broth, then sugar; season sauce with salt and pepper.
• Heat heavy large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add cheese and cook until slightly browned, about 1 minute per side. Bring tomatillo sauce to simmer. Add cheese to sauce and cook until cheese begins to melt, about 2 minutes. Transfer cheese with sauce to shallow platter or divide cheese and sauce among 6 individual gratin dishes. Serve with tortillas.
• *Melting cheese available in balls, braids, or rounds. Sometimes labeled queso asadero or queso chihuahua. Substitute mozzarella or Monterey Jack.

HERBED PUMPKIN SEED MOLE (MOLE VERDE CON HIERBAS)

Steps:

• In a large skillet with high sides or in a large saucepan, toast the pumpkin seeds, cumin seeds, and oregano over high heat. Toss to make sure they don't burn, but toast until fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a blender or spice grinder and process until ground. Set aside.
• In the same skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, tomatillos, garlic, and jalapeños and cook until slightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes, tossing a couple of times, but not stirring too much. Carefully place the vegetables in a blender or food processor. Then add the broth, cilantro, parsley, epazote (if using), and salt and process until puréed. Pour back into the skillet and add the ground pumpkin seed mixture. Let simmer until flavors are well combined, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Serve immediately. Any leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for a couple of days.