Salsa de Tomatillos Como Las Asadas y Big Star

A super-flavorful salsa inspired by the great taquerias in Bucktown and Wicker park, in Chicago. Restaurant-style tomatillo salsa, a good change of pace from standard tomato salsa. Includes roasted peppers and the unstoppable combination of garlic, lime and cilantro.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 40 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 2 tablespoons minced red onion
• 10 fresh tomatillos, husks removed
• 4 serrano chiles, stemmed
• 2 poblano chiles, stemmed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring the tomatillos, garlic cloves, and water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the tomatillos have lost their shape, 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 2

Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack at about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Cut the serrano peppers and poblano peppers in half from top to bottom; remove the stem, seeds, and ribs, then place the peppers cut-side-down onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 3

Cook under the preheated broiler until about 3/4 of the skin has blackened and blistered, 3 to 5 minutes. Place the blackened peppers into a bowl, and tightly seal with plastic wrap. Allow the peppers to steam for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove and discard the blackened skins. Stir the peppers into the simmering tomatillos; cook 5 minutes more.

Step 4

Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the yellow onion, and cook until the onion has softened and is beginning to turn brown, 7 to 10 minutes. Place the yellow onions into a blender along with the tomatillo mixture. Hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender, using a few quick pulses to get the salsa moving before leaving it on to puree. Puree until no large chunks remain. Return to the skillet, and simmer over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes until the salsa thickens slightly. Pour into a bowl, and cool to room temperature.

Step 5

Once cool, stir in the salt, cilantro, red onion, and lime juice to serve.