Roasted Tomato Serrano Salsa w/ Avocado (medium heat)
• 1 lb tomatoes
• 2 Serrano peppers
• 3 cloves of garlic, peels left on
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh squeezed lime juice to taste
Set oven to broil and adjust top rack to the highest setting. Place tomatoes, Serrano peppers, and the garlic cloves on a non-stick cooking sheet. Place the cooking sheet directly under the broiler for 5 minutes or until the tops of the tomatoes are blackened. Flip the tomatoes, peppers, and garlic over and place back under the broiler for an additional 3 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Rinse the diced onion in cold water in a colander or sieve and allow to drain thoroughly.
Pull the peels off of the tomatoes and the garlic cloves. They should slide right off. Discard. Twist off the tops of the peppers and discard. Place the tomatoes, peppers, and garlic in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl. Add avocado, onion, and cilantro. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper and at least 1 Tbsp of lime juice, more to taste. Stir and taste. Adjust seasonings and serve with tortilla chips or use as a sauce over chicken, steak, or fish.
If you have tomatillos, you can substitute those for the tomatoes for the best salsa verde you've ever had!
I am a former professional chef with a cooking blog. If you want to check it out, it's at www.chefwylie.com