Charred Salsa Roja Recipes

Steps:

• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the tomatoes, garlic, chiles and onion and cook, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides, about 3 minutes for the garlic, 4 to 5 minutes for the chiles, 6 to 8 minutes for the onion and 8 to 10 minutes for the tomatoes. Transfer to a plate to cool. When cool enough to handle, peel the garlic.
• Add the tomatoes, garlic, chiles, onion, cilantro, lime juice and 1 tablespoon salt to a blender and puree on low speed, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom to ensure an even texture, until the salsa is almost smooth but some small pieces remain. Season with salt and more lime juice if needed.

Steps:

• Tear all the chiles into large pieces and toast them in a large dry skillet over medium heat until they change color a bit, about 2 minutes. Add the spices and continue to toast for 2 to 3 minutes until everything is fragrant. Remove from heat and carefully add about 1 cup of hot water to just cover the chiles. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler. Put the quartered tomatoes, sliced onion, and whole garlic cloves onto a roasting tray, spreading out evenly. Drizzle with plenty of olive oil and season well with salt and pepper and sprinkle with cilantro sprigs. Broil until everything is nicely charred, about 10 minutes (you want lots of deep rich color so don't be afraid if some of the edges get pretty black).
• Add the chile mixture to a blender and puree. Remove the tomato/onion mixture from the roasting pan and carefully add it to the blender, (it will be hot). Blend until smooth (you may need to work in 2 batches). Once everything is pureed, pour the mixture back into the pot over low heat adding a little water if the salsa is too thick. Stir in the sugar and lime juice and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a large serving bowl and serve.

Steps:

• Place a grill pan over medium-high heat and heat for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the tomatillos, onion, jalapeño and poblano in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of the vegetable oil, sprinkle generously with salt and toss to evenly coat the vegetables. Brush the hot grill with the remaining tablespoon vegetable oil.
• Grill the vegetables, turning occasionally, until charred and softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer the tomatillos and onions to the bowl of a food processor. Transfer the peppers to a cutting board to cool briefly. Trim the stems off the peppers and remove the seeds if you don't want it too spicy. Add the peppers to the food processor.
• Add the garlic and lime juice to the food processor and pulse until the vegetables form a thick paste, about 2 minutes. With the processor on, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Turn off the machine, add the cilantro, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt and pulse until smooth. Remove all but 1 cup of the salsa from the food processor. Set this green salsa aside.
• To the remaining 1 cup salsa in the food processor, add the can of tomatoes. Pulse for 1 minute more until a smooth red salsa is formed. Serve both salsas with tortilla chips.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, char the outside of the tomatoes, garlic, and chiles and then add the onion and cumin seeds, continue to cook about 3 minutes. Add the tomato juice, water, lime zest, lime juice, and salt and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. When the tomatoes have nearly lost their skins and the garlic is softened, puree the sauce in a blender briefly, leaving the final product slightly chunky. Slightly funky.
• Let cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Do Ahead
• Salsa roja will keep for up to 7 days and is always better on day two!

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Lay the tomato and onion halves cut-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet; surround with the tomatillos and jalapeno. Broil until charred, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, cook the chile de arbol in a small dry skillet over medium-high heat, turning, until toasted, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Combine the tomatoes, onion, tomatillos, jalapeno, chile de arbol, chipotle and garlic in a blender and puree until mostly smooth. Add the cilantro and puree until incorporated; season with salt. Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.