Charred Tomato Mint Salsa 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:

• Heat a dry "comal" or flat iron griddle over moderately low heat until hot and pan-roast tomatoes, onion, and garlic, turning them occasionally to ensure even roasting, until brown and soft throughout, about 15 minutes. Discard tomato stems and garlic skin.
• Chop tomatoes, onion and garlic coarse and in a bowl stir together with remaining ingredients. (Salsa should be chunky.) Salsa may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 160C/gas 3/fan 140C. Put a griddle pan or heavy cast iron frying pan (not non-stick) over a high flame and leave it to heat.
• Cut the tomatoes in half around the equator. Brush the cut surfaces with 1 tbsp of oil and place cut side-down on the hot griddle. Cook undisturbed for 1 minute, then take the pan off the heat.
• Transfer the tomatoes, cut side-up, to a shallow baking dish. Brush cut surfaces with the vinegar, then with about 2 tbsp of oil. Place a sliver or two of garlic on each tomato, and sprinkle with the sugar.
• Bake for about 1 hour until the tomatoes are deep brown and sticky-looking. Cool a little, then finish with a sprinkling of balsamic vinegar, extra oil and a scattering of basil. Serve warm or at room temperature.