Red-chile sauce w/ roasted tomato / salsa roja

4 Servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
4 mediums Dried guajillos chiles; stemmed, seeded & deveined
2 Garlic cloves, unpeeled
1 large Tomato, roasted, peeled cored & roughly chopped
½ Canned chipotle chile; seeded (optional)
½ teaspoon Salt

Directions

Tear the guajillo chilkes into flat pieces, then toast them on a griddle or heavy skillet over medium heat, using a metal spatula to press them flat to the hot surface for a few seconds, then flipping and pressing again. You'll notice a toasted look to each side and perhaps a whiff of smoke when they're ready, but don't burn them or they'll taste bitter. Lay the unpeeled garlic on the griddle and turn frequently until soft and blackened in spots, about 15 minutes. Cool, peel off the skin and cut in quarters. Break the chiles into a dry blender jar, cover and blend on high until pulverized. Add the garlic, roasted tomato, optional chile chipotle and ¼ cup water, then blend until very smooth. Strain the sauce through a medium-mesh sieve into a small dish, then stir in a little more water, if necessary to make a light, pourable consistency. Season with salt and let stand for ½ hour to let the flavors mingle. To roast tomatoes: Roasting tomatoes directly on the griddle can make a mess (the skins stick and burn), so I usually place a sheet of foil on the griddle first, then lay on the tomatoes and turn them occasionaly for about 15 mintues, depending on size and ripeness, until the flesh is soft and the skin blistered and blackened. Cool, peel away the skin and cut out the core. Source: Authentic Mexican; Rick & Deann Groen Bayless. MM by Lyn.

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