Rick Bayless Roasted Chipotle Salsa Recipes

RICK'S ESSENTIAL ROASTED TOMATILLO-CHIPOTLE SALSA

Steps:

• Set an ungreased griddle or heavy skillet over medium heat. If using dried chiles, break off their stems. Toast the chiles a few at a time. Set them on the hot surface, press flat for a few seconds with a metal spatula (they'll crackle faintly and release their smoky aroma), then flip, and press down to toast the other side. Transfer the toasted chiles to a bowl, cover with hot water, and let rehydrate for 30 minutes, stirring regularly to ensure even soaking. Pour off all the water, and discard. If using canned chiles, simply remove them from the adobo sauce in which they are packed.
• On a heavy, ungreased skillet or griddle over medium heat, roast the unpeeled garlic, turning occasionally, until blackened in spots and soft, about 15 minutes. Cool, slip off the papery skins, and chop roughly.
• Preheat the broiler. Place the tomatillos on a baking sheet, and place in broiler about 4 inches from heat. When, after about 5 minutes, the tomatillos have blistered, blackened, and softened on one side, turn them over, and roast on the other side. Cool completely on the baking sheet.
• Scrape the tomatillos (and any juices that have accumulated around them) into a molcajete, food processor, or blender, and add the rehydrated or canned chiles and garlic. Combine until everything is thick and relatively smooth. For a chunkier alternative, scrape the tomatillos and juices into a molcajete, food processor, or blender, and add the garlic. Combine until everything is coarsely pureed. Chop the chiles into tiny bits, then stir them into the tomatillo mixture. Transfer salsa to a serving bowl, and add enough water to give the salsa an easily spoonable consistency, about 3 to 4 tablespoons. Season with salt, and add sugar if you want to soften its tangy edge.

SALSA BY RICK BAYLESS

Steps:

• In a food processor put the green chili and the garlic clove and mince.
• Roughly chop two of the tomatoes and add to the food processor along with the cilantro. Pulse 7-8 times.
• I next usually remove the top of the food processor and use a spoon to push down any of the ingredients that have gone up the side of the food processor. Put the top back on and pulse a few more times or until you have the desired consistancy.
• Pour the ingredients into a serving bowl.
• Finely chop the remaining two tomatoes and add the tomatoes and green onions to the serving bowl.
• Add 1-3 teaspoons lime juice or vinegar and a generous amount of salt. Stir until everything is well blended.
• Let the salsa marry in the fridge for about an hour if desired, before serving.
• The cooking time is the chilling time in the fridge.

CHIPOTLE-CASCABEL SALSA WITH ROASTED TOMATOES AND TOMATILLOS

Steps:

• Pull the stems off chiles and place them in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Stir and press down regularly until chiles have darkened a little in spots and they fill the kitchen with spicy aroma, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Scoop chiles into a bowl and pour very hot water on them and lay a small plate to keep them submerged for no more than 30 minutes.
• Lay tomatillos and tomatoes on a baking sheet and set the pan 4 inches below the broiler and let broil until they are softened and black in places, about 5 minutes. The skin will split. Flip the tomatillos and tomatoes and roast other side for 5-6 more minutes or so until completely softened and darkened on the other side. Set aside to cool.
• Turn oven to 425 F and lay onion rings and garlic on a baking pan and bake until onions are deeply golden and garlic soft and browned in spots, about 15 minutes. Stir every couple of minutes. Cool to room temperature.
• In a blender or food processor, pulse onion and garlic until finely chopped but not pasty smooth. Scoop into a bowl.
• Peel the skin off the cooled tomatoes and cut out the cores but catch all the juices.
• Place drained chiles, tomatoes with their juices, and tomatillos in a blender or food processor. Pulse a few times and let the machine run until everything is finely pureed about 1-2 minutes. Pour this mixture into a bowl with onion and garlic and stir in fresh thyme and enough water to give it an spoonable consistency.
• Taste, then season with salt and sugar. Use within 5 days or freeze.