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Blend ancho chilies and aromatics to make a versatile earthy-smoky salsa
Ancho Chili Salsa Roja
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We use ancho chilies, with their earthy, smoky flavor, to up the flavor of a simple salsa. Deep-red anchos are dried ripe poblano chilies. The chilies are harvested green to use fresh, but to make anchos, they're left to ripen until red, developing a sweetness that balances their moderate heat. Left alone, anchos can taste a bit like prunes, but combining them with fresh tomato, garlic and shallot balances their sweetness. The brightness of the raw ingredients emphasizes the chilies' smoky notes. Use this salsa as a dip for tortilla chips, spooned onto tacos or in a marinade for beef, pork or chicken.
3 medium ancho chilies, stemmed, seeded and torn into pieces
Boiling water
1 large garlic clove, smashed and peeled
1 medium shallot, roughly chopped
1 medium vine-ripened tomato, cored and roughly chopped
2 teaspoons white sugar
Kosher salt
Ingredients
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3
medium ancho chilies, stemmed, seeded and torn into pieces
-
Boiling water
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1
large garlic clove, smashed and peeled
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1
medium shallot, roughly chopped
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1
medium vine-ripened tomato, cored and roughly chopped
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2
teaspoons white sugar
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Kosher salt
Directions
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01In a 12-inch skillet over medium, toast the chilies, pressing with a wide metal spatula and flipping once or twice, until fragrant and a shade darker in color, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and pour in enough boiling water to cover. Let stand until softened, about 10 minutes.
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02Drain the chilies and discard the soaking liquid. Transfer to a food processor or blender. Add the garlic, shallot, tomato, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ cup water. Process until finely chopped and well combined, about 20 seconds, scraping the sides as needed.
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I tried this. It ended up being bitter (even though it was flavorful). Not sure why.
Fresh or dried chilis?
Hi Nilo,
Dried chilis. As per the text, "Deep-red anchos are dried ripe poblano chilies." Hope this helps.
Best,
The Milk Street Team
So many uses for this delicious sauce. One of our fave ways to use it is similar to a local Mexican eatery where the owner / chef is from Michoacan and he offers small corn tortillas cut in half moons and made crispy with a spicy salsa similar to this to spread on them to eat. Using his concept and this recipe we've had great home outcome. Also we think this is great drizzled over slices of fresh avocado that are laid on a warm tortilla then topped with a few thin slices of radish to eat as a taco. But, really, it is so good we lick the spoon.
Most salsas with dried chilies are cooked after puréed. Why not this one?
Hi,
The chilies are toasted and hydrated here so it provided texture and taste we wanted for this recipe.
Best,
The Milk Street Team