First of all I want to congratulate Cheyanne from No Spoon Necessary who was the winner of the Sweet Phi Cookbook giveaway! Get excited for some amazing recipes coming your way, Cheyanne 🙂 If you’re a newcomer and don’t know about Phi’s cookbook, I’d highly recommend that you pop on over here to check it out. It’s definitely worth the hype!
But on a second note, I think we need to have a little discussion about salsa.
I was that Midwestern girl that grew up on jarred salsas and tostitos tortilla chips. It was (and is) still a guilty pleasure of mine to binge eat all the salty chips and tangy salsa while watching ALL the Kimmy Schmidt in my pajamas. However I do have to say that over the years and a move to San Diego later I have found that freshly made salsas are a true treat and definitely worth making if you have a little extra time. (And spoiler- it really doesn’t take that much extra time).
When we moved to San Diego I was actually pretty surprised to discover how many different salsas you can find around here. Taco shops and Mexican restaurants around here serve up a “salsa bar” where you can usually pick from 4-6 different salsas to fit your mood. Of course they usually include a tomato based salsa, but most interesting are the alternative salsas that are based on spicy peppers, and of course the tangy green salsa that is the a wonderful accompaniment for just about any taco.
And that green salsa is more familiarly called Salsa Verde, or Tomatillo Salsa. There are multiple ways to prepare it. Around here sometimes a little avocado or crema is added to make it a creamier green sauce. But I have discovered that my preference is for the pure, unadulterated tomatillo salsa that highlights the tartness of the fruit and the spiciness of the peppers.
So when I saw a recipe for Roasted Salsa Verde on Epicurious I knew I just had to give it a go (and adjust it just a little bit for my preferences… naturally).
The recipe is pretty straightfoward and involves roasting the tomatillos, peppers, and garlic in a hot oven until they are blistered and slightly charred. Then everything just pops into the blender with a little onion and cilantro, and a whirl or 3 later, you have the perfect salsa. (Of course you’ll probably want to let it cool down in the refrigerator before enjoying).
The heat can be adjusted depending on your preference. I used 3 serrano peppers which ended up being on the mild-medium side. Epicurious recommends using 5 peppers. I’ll let you be the judge of things.
And of course this wouldn’t be complete without fresh Mexican tortilla chips. (I got mine at Pancho Villa Market in North Park, for anyone who lives in San Diego and wants to know).
Hope you have a wonderful weekend everyone! Until next time…
Roasted Salsa Verde
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs fresh tomatillos
- 3 serrano chiles stems removed but otherwise left whole
- 3 garlic cloves peeled, and left whole
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 1/2 onion roughly chopped
- 2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Place tomatillos, chiles, and garlic on a baking sheet.
- Place baking sheet on rack closest to the heating source and bake for 15 minutes, turning the tomatillos once. The tomatillos should be lightly charred.
- Put tomatillos, chiles, and garlic in the blender. Add cilantro, raw onion, and lime juice. Season with salt.
- Blend until mixture is smooth.
- Chill and serve with chips or over tacos.
Looks absolutely, perfectly delicious!! Yummy!! Thanks for the recipe!!
Eee thank you!
This looks gorgeous. I love salsa verde and have never been brave enough to make it. You make it look easy. I can do this!
You can definitely do it! It’s a very easy salsa!
SO excited to cook from Phi’s cookbook!!! I have big plans to dog ear all the pages and cook up a storm. 😉 I grew up on jarred salsa and bags of chips too, girlfriend! I mean, I think most people did. It wasn’t until I got a little older that my dad and I started making our own salsas and chips. Now I’m addicted! LOVING this salsa verde!! This is good for so much more than just chips!! I could (and will) put this on allllll the things! Pinned! Cheers, Sarah!
Yessss I am so excited you’re getting the cookbook! I think you’re going to just love it. And thanks as always for your awesome and positive comments 🙂 You’re the best!
Aren’t tomatillos the best?!! LOVE your photos.
Thank you Mimi!
Great salsa! I am woefully uneducated in the intricacies of Mexican food (here in Canada), so I’m soaking up all this great knowledge you’re sharing 🙂
It’s so funny to think that Canada is so close to the US but so far from Mexico. I’ve lived so close to the borders of each country. Anyway, I bet that Mexican staples will find their way to Canada sometime soon and hopefully now you’ll know what to buy 😉
I love salsa verde, but I’ve actually never made my own Sarah! Now that you’ve taught us all about tomatillos I have no excuse! Can’t wait to try.
I’m kind of kicking myself right now as I’ve never thought to do this. You’ve given me a great idea for adapting a traditional salsa as neither Dave nor I eat raw onions ?
Thank you SO MUCH again for posting about my cookbook – truly appreciate it! And omg does this salsa verde look incredible, I truly am right there wish you – chips and salsa are a guilty pleasure 😉