Recipe: Red Flame Salsa

Red Flame Salsa

by Rick Rodgers

Make-Ahead: The salsa can be prepared up to 2 days ahead.

Ancho chiles give this salsa its moderately high heat level and deep red color. If you wish, add 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels or canned beans to the salsa to provide extra substance.

Makes about 3 cups

4 ancho chiles, stemmed, split and seeded
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
One 14 1/2-ounce can tomatoes in juice,
drained, juice reserved
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Salt to taste

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chiles skin side down in the skillet and cook until they are a deeper shade and more pliable, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl, add enough hot water to cover, and put a saucer on top of the chiles to submerge them. Let stand until softened, about 20 minutes, then drain well.

2. Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, jalapeño, and garlic and cook, stirring often, until the onion softens, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.

3. Combine the drained tomatoes and chiles in a blender. Purée, adding enough of the reserved tomato juice to reach the desired thickness. Transfer to a medium bowl, stir in the onion mixture, and season with salt. Let cool to room temperature. (The dip can be prepared up to 2 days ahead, covered, and refrigerated.)

4. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve at room temperature.

Buy the Book

from:
Dip It!
Great Party Food to Spread, Spoon, and Scoop
by Rick Rodgers
HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 0060002239
Hardcover, 208 pages
$14.95; $22.95 (CAN)
Recipe reprinted by permission.