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As a few of you may know, there are some places in the US where you are still asked whether or not you want red or green salsa. I love those places! There are even a few places left with “salsa bars” with a dozen or so different varieties of salsa, all available for your chip dipping pleasure. So today I thought I would pass along a pretty good green chile salsa recipe that requires a little grill time — and who doesn’t like a hot grill on a cold day?
To get this delicious process started you will need about 3 pounds of tomatillos (husks removed and tomatillos rinsed), a couple ears of fresh corn still in the husks, a jalapeño, a red onion, some cilantro, a lime, garlic, salt, cumin, and cayenne.
What you need to do first, of course, is get the grill going at high heat. While the grill is warming, get the tomatillos husked and rinsed. Once the grill is ready, simply place the tomatillos on the grill and let them char slightly. Turn them every now and then until they’re charred in 2-3 places, and you’ll know they are done when they change from bright green to an olive green color. Next, throw on the corn with husk still in place. Since they’re fresh, the need to water them is not required. Turn and grill until the husk is charred all over. Once they’re done, pull them off the grill to let them cool, then peel the shucks off and cut off the kernels.
After that little bit of grilling, it’s all easy. Chop the cilantro, a clove of garlic, one jalapeño, and mince the red onion. Throw the tomatillos into a blender, add about a quarter cup of the cilantro, a pinch of cayenne (big pinch if you like), a pinch of cumin, a couple teaspoons of salt, three or four tablespoons of lime juice, and pureé. After pouring into a bowl, add the corn kernels and about a half a cup of the minced onion and stir it all together.
If this salsa doesn’t remind you just a little bit of Santa Fe or northern New Mexico, may I suggest you plan a trip there next summer and try some yourself! Village Café in Santa Fe for example can cure what ails ya! And before you leave, don’t forget to visit us at PPL Motorhomes for all your parts and accessories!