When Chilies Attack Jalapeno Cilantro Salsa Recipes

SALSA RANCHERA RECIPE

Steps:

• Slice the tomatoes and jalapenos in half lengthwise and set them onto a cast iron pan or baking sheet, skin sides up.
• Add the onion and garlic cloves.
• Set the pan into the center of the oven and broil (400 degrees F) for 20 minutes, or until the skins of the tomatoes and peppers blister up. Do not allow to burn.
• Remove from heat and cool slightly.
• Remove the skins from the tomatoes, peppers and garlic. Discard them.
• Place the tomatoes, peppers, garlic and onion in a food processor along with cilantro and salt. If using any of the optional ingredients, add them now. Process until smooth.
• Adjust for salt and serve warm.

JALAPEñO-CILANTRO SALSA

Steps:

• Char chilies over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Place in paper bag and seal. Let stand 10 minutes. Peel, seed and finely chop chilies. Place chilies in small bowl. Mix in oil and cilantro. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.) Mix lime juice into salsa. Season with salt and pepper.

ROASTED JALAPEñO-TOMATO SALSA WITH FRESH CILANTRO

Steps:

• 1. Heat the broiler. Lay the whole tomatoes and jalapeños out on a broiler pan or baking sheet. Set the pan 4 inches below the broiler and broil for about 6 minutes, until darkly roasted - even blackened in spots - on one side (the tomato skins will split and curl in places). With a pair of tongs, flip over the tomatoes and chiles and roast the other side for another 6 minutes or so. The goal is not simply to char the tomatoes and chiles, but to cook them through while developing nice, roasty flavors. Set aside to cool.
• 2. Turn the oven down to 425 degrees. Separate the onions into rings. On a similar pan or baking sheet, combine the onion and garlic. Roast in the oven, stirring carefully every couple of minutes, until the onions are beautifully browned and wilted (even have a touch of char on some of the edges) and the garlic is soft and browned in spots, about 15 minutes total. Cool to room temperature.
• 3. For a little less rustic texture or if you're canning the salsa, pull off the peels from the cooled tomatoes and cut out the "cores" where the stems were attached, working over your baking sheet so as not to waste any juices. In a food processor, pulse the jalapeños (no need to peel or seed them) with the onion and garlic until moderately finely chopped, scraping everything down with a spatula as needed to keep it all moving around. Scoop into a big bowl. Without washing the processor, coarsely puree the tomatoes - with all that juice that has accumulated around them - and add them to the bowl. Stir in enough water to give the salsa an easily spoonable consistency. Stir in the cilantro.
• 4. Taste and season with salt and vinegar, remembering that this condiment should be a little fiesty in its seasoning. If you're planning to use your salsa right away, simply pour it into a bowl and it's ready, or refrigerate it covered and use within 5 days.

CHILI'S SALSA

Steps:

• In food processor place jalapenos and onions.
• Process for just a few seconds.
• Add both cans of tomatoes, salt, sugar, and cumin.
• Process all ingredients until well blended but do not puree.
• Place in covered container and chill.
• A couple of hours of chilling will help blend and enrich the flavor.
• Serve with your favorite thin corn tortilla chips.

JALAPENO SALSA

Steps:

• Place jalapenos in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Simmer until jalapenos soften and begin to lose their shine, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the jalapenos with a slotted spoon, chop off the stem, and place them in a blender. Add the tomatoes and boil for 2 to 3 minutes to loosen the skin. Peel the skin from the tomatoes and add tomatoes to the blender.
• Place the onion, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, salt, and black pepper in the blender with the jalapenos and tomatoes. Blend to desired consistency.

WHEN CHILIES ATTACK: JALAPENO-CILANTRO SALSA

Steps:

• Roast the jalapenos either by charring the chilies over an open flame or broiling them until blackened on all sides. Place chilies in a paper bag and seal. Let sweat for 15 minutes.
• Peel, seed (and devein if desired) the chilies; mince finely.
• In a small, non-reacitive bowl combine the chilies with the olive oil and fresh cilantro. Stir in the lime juice.
• Season with salt and pepper. Cover salsa and let stand at room temperature.
• Can be prepared up to 6 hours in advance. Use sparingly.
• The United States' Government has declared this salsa a weapon of mass destruction.