Salsa Verde

If I had to choose my all time favorite cooked salsa, it would be salsa verde, hands down!!!! Besides guacamole, I know that this was one of the salsa's my Mom made most often. My favorite dish as a child was a simple quesadilla made with corn tortillas and filled with monterey jack cheese. While in Mexico last year I was helping my Tia cook and she asked me to make salsa verde. I went to grab a pot to fill with water, but she quickly stopped me and said, "No, No mija, we make it in the microwave". Of course I was surprised, but pleasantly surprised when I saw how much easier this cooking method worked! My Mom would have loved this, I just know it!

Yields about 4 cups

Ingredients:

10 to 12 tomatillos, quartered (remove husk and rinse well)
3 to 5 serrano peppers, cut into thirds

1 to 2 chile de arbol, crushed, optional
1 small white onion, quartered
1 clove garlic, chopped
Juice of 1 keylime or 1 small lime
1½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup chopped cilantro, optional

Directions:

1. Remove the husks from the tomatillos and rinse in lukewarm water. In a microwave-safe container, add the tomatillos, serrano peppers, and onions. Cover with paper towel and cook on high for 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from microwave and let cool slightly.

2. Transfer the tomatillo mixture to the blender, add the garlic, cilantro, chile de arbol(if using), salt and lime juice. Blend on high for just a few seconds. Taste for salt. Serve at room temperature.

3. Serve salsa with chips or as a garnish for any of your favorite foods. Is a must for cheese quesadillas!! Yields about 4 cups.

Note: Another variation my Mom made included chile de arbol in place of serrano peppers. She would cook the dried peppers in a little water to soften them,then add them to the blender with all the other cooked ingredients. Another variation is to add chipotles en adobo for a spicy, smokey flavor!

My favorite dish as a kid, my favorite dish now!!! Cheese quesadillas with salsa verde!

A half bushel of tomatillos!!! My friend asked if I would like some, I never knew it would be a whole box!!! Salsa for everyone!!

On this day I did add a little bit of chile de arbol...those are the specks of red that you see.

Other recipes by Sonia:

Mexican Red Rice
Buñuelos
Chile Relleno with Serrano Shrimp
Cheesy Chorizo Bread
Flank Steak Tacos
Pumpkin Empanadas
Annatto-Citrus Marinated Chicken
Chile Garlic Shrimp Kabobs
Avocado Fries
Chicken Enchilada Soup with Chayotes
Dulce de Leche and Chocolate Chip Chimichangas

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