Best Green Salsa Recipes

CHICKEN ENCHILADAS WITH GREEN CHILE SAUCE (SALSA VERDE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Combine chicken, onion mixture, cheese blend, cream cheese, salsa verde, olives, cilantro, and jalapenos in a large bowl for the filling. Mix well.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour, then chicken broth. Cook until sauce starts to thicken, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in sour cream and salsa verde; cook until heated through. Spread a spoonful of sauce over the bottoms of two 9x11-inch casserole dishes.
• Wrap a tortilla in a damp paper towel and microwave for about 30 seconds. Fill with the chicken mixture, roll up, and place seam-side down into a baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas until each dish holds 8 enchiladas.
• Spoon remaining sauce over the enchiladas. Sprinkle cheese on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, about 20 minutes.

SALSA VERDE: GREEN TOMATILLO SALSA

Steps:

• Whether you choose the verdant, slushy, herby freshness of the all-raw tomatillo salsa or the oil-colored, voluptuous, sweet-sour richness of the roasted version, tomatillos are about brightening tang. The buzz of the fresh hot green chile adds thrill, all of which adds up to a condiment most of us simply don't want to live without.
• For the All-Raw version: Roughly chop the tomatillos and the chiles. In a blender or food processor, combine the tomatillos, chiles, cilantro and 1/4 cup water. Process to a coarse puree, then scrape into a serving dish. Rinse the onion under cold water, then shake to remove excess moisture. Stir into the salsa and season with salt, usually a generous 1/4 teaspoon.
• For the Roasted version:
• Preheat a broiler.
• Roast the tomatillos and chiles on a baking sheet 4 inches below a very hot broiler until darkly roasted, even blackened in spots, about 5 minutes. Flip them over and roast the other side, 4 to 5 minutes more will give you splotchy-black and blistered tomatillos and chiles. In a blender or food processor, combine the tomatillos and chiles, including all the delicious juice that has run onto the baking sheet. Add the cilantro and 1/4 cup water, blend to a coarse puree, and scrape into a serving dish. Rinse the onion under cold water, then shake to remove the excess moisture. Stir into the salsa and season with salt, usually a generous 1/4 teaspoon.

GREEN (UN-RIPE) TOMATO SALSA FOR CANNING

Steps:

• Combine everything in a large pot, mixing well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, and cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• To continue canning, bring salsa to a boil.
• Ladle salsa into hot sterile jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Wipe lids and jar edges clean before finger tightening lids and placing them back in the boiling canning pot.
• Process (boil) jars for 15 minutes.
• Remove carefully and let sit for 24 hours. Check lids for seal, and refrigerate any unsealed jars.

GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TAMALES (TAMALES CON SALSA VERDE Y POLLO)

Steps:

• For filling:
• Place husks in large pot or large bowl; add water to cover. Place heavy plate on husks to keep submerged. Let stand until husks soften, turning occasionally, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
• Preheat broiler. Line heavy baking sheet with foil. Arrange tomatillos on prepared sheet. Broil until tomatillos blacken in spots, turning once, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer tomatillos and any juices on sheet to processor and cool. Add chiles and garlic to processor and blend until smooth puree forms. Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add tomatillo puree and boil 5 minutes, stirring often. Add broth. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until sauce coats spoon thickly and is reduced to 1 cup, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes. Season with salt. Mix in chicken and cilantro. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• For dough:
• Using electric mixer, beat lard (with salt and baking powder, if using) in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in fresh masa or masa harina mixture in 4 additions. Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in 1 1/2 cups broth, forming tender dough. If dough seems firm, beat in enough broth, 2 tablespoons at a time, to soften.
• Fill bottom of pot with steamer insert with enough water (about 2 inches) to reach bottom of insert. Line bottom of insert with some softened corn husks. Tear 3 large husks into 1/4-inch-wide strips to use as ties and set aside. Open 2 large husks on work surface. Spread 1/4 cup dough in 4-inch square in center of each, leaving 2- to 3-inch plain border at narrow end of husk. Spoon heaping tablespoon filling in strip down center of each dough square. Fold long sides of husk and dough over filling to cover. Fold up narrow end of husk. Tie folded portion with strip of husk to secure, leaving wide end of tamale open. Stand tamales in steamer basket. Repeat with more husks, dough, and filling until all filling has been used. If necessary to keep tamales upright in steamer, insert pieces of crumpled foil between them.
• Bring water in pot to boil. Cover pot and steam tamales until dough is firm to touch and separates easily from husk, adding more water to pot as necessary, about 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool 1 hour. Cover and chill. Before serving, re-steam tamales until hot, about 35 minutes.)

SPICY GREEN TOMATO SALSA

Steps:

• Combine green tomatoes, onions, jalapeno peppers, serrano peppers, and red bell pepper in a large bowl.
• Mix cilantro, sugar, garlic, oregano, and cayenne pepper together in a small bowl.
• Fill a blender with about 2 cups tomato mixture, 1 teaspoon lime juice, and 1/4 of the spice mixture; blend to desired consistency and pour into a large bowl. Repeat blending with remaining tomato mixture, lime juice, and spice mixture, working in batches, until all ingredients are blended. Stir vinegar into salsa.

PORK STEW IN GREEN SALSA (GUISADO DE PUERCO CON TOMATILLOS)

Steps:

• Stir together the flour, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and cumin in a large bowl. Place the cubed pork into the mixture, and stir well to coat the meat with the seasonings.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Working in batches if necessary, place the meat into the hot pan in a single layer. Pan-fry the pork until brown on all sides, about 15 minutes. Remove the pork to a bowl, and cover to keep warm.
• Cook and stir the onion in the hot pan over medium heat, adding more olive oil if necessary, until the onion is translucent and beginning to brown, about 7 minutes. Return the meat to the pan and stir in the garlic, tomatillos, chiles, marjoram, chopped cilantro, and water. Check seasoning and add 1 pinch of salt to taste, if needed. Cover and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender, about 1 hour. Skim excess fat off the stew before serving in bowls, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and a cilantro sprig on each bowl.

GREEN TOMATO SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the green tomatoes on the baking sheet, stem-side down, and place under the broiler about 2 inches from the heat. Broil two to five minutes, until charred. Using tongs, turn the tomatoes over, and grill on the other side for two to five minutes, until blackened. Remove from the heat. When cool enough to handle, core the tomatoes and remove the charred skin. Quarter and place in a blender or a food processor fitted with a steel blade (I prefer the blender).
• Add the remaining ingredients, except the water, to the blender or food processor, and blend to a coarse or a smooth puree (to your taste). Transfer to a bowl, taste and adjust seasonings, and thin out with water if desired. Allow to stand for 30 minutes or longer before serving to allow the flavors to develop. You may wish to thin out after it stands.

SALSA VERDE (GREEN SAUCE)

Steps:

• Chop the herbs and garlic, mixing with 1 tsp sea salt, until very fine.
• Add the mustard and capers, and combine. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the olive oil.
• Add the vinegar, little by little, stirring and tasting as you go - trust your palate!

SEARED MAHI MAHI WITH GRILLED MANGO-PINEAPPLE SALSA, GREEN RICE, AND BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Make the Green Rice: Combine the water and rice in saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Season the water with salt. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, until tender, about 20 minutes. Set the rice aside, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the chimichurri. Set aside, covered, until ready to use.
• Meanwhile, make the Black Beans: Heat the oil in the saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the cumin seeds and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the bell pepper and onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 8 minutes. Stir in the black beans and sugar. Bring to boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Set aside, covered, until ready to use.
• Make the Salsa: Preheat a grill pan over high heat. Grill the pineapple rings, turning once, until charred, about 2 minutes. Transfer the rings to a cutting board and chop.
• In a bowl, combine the pineapple, mango, bell pepper, onion, cilantro, olive oil, ginger, jalapeno, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. (The salsa can be prepared up to 2 days in advance.)
• Make the mahi mahi: Arrange the fillets in baking pan, season with salt and pepper, and rub with the zest. Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes. Raise the heat to high and heat the butter and oil. Working in batches, if necessary, sear the halibut fillets, turning once, until well browned and just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
• Divide the rice and beans among the center of 6 plates, top with the fillets, and spoon some the salsa over each.
• In a food processor, pulse the onion until finely chopped but not pureed. Transfer the onion to a bowl. Add the olive oil, parsley, cilantro, oregano leaves, garlic, and lime juice and pulse until finely chopped. Transfer the herb mixture to the bowl of onion and stir to combine. Season the chimichurri with salt and pepper.

GREEN HOT SAUCE (SALSA VERDE)

Steps:

• Place the tomatillos, serrano peppers, onion, and garlic in a saucepan, and add water to just cover. Sprinkle the salt over the top, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the tomatillos are soft and have turned slightly brownish in color, 20 to 30 minutes. Add more water if needed to keep the mixture from burning as it cooks.
• Pour the cooked vegetables into a blender, and blend until smooth.

ROASTED GREEN TOMATO SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Place green tomatoes, onion, jalapeno peppers, bell pepper, and garlic on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until vegetables start to char, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes.
• Transfer roasted vegetables to a blender or food processor. Add cilantro, lime juice, kosher salt, cumin, and black pepper. Process until well blended. Chill until serving.

GREEN TOMATO SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Place peppers on a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil 3-4 in. from heat until skins blister, about 5 minutes. With tongs, rotate peppers a quarter turn. Broil and rotate until all sides are blistered and blackened. Immediately place in a bowl; let stand, covered, 20 minutes., Using tongs, place tomatoes, a few at a time, in a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove tomatoes; cool slightly. Peel and finely chop tomatoes; place in a large bowl., Remove skin, stems and seeds from charred peppers. Finely chop peppers; add to tomatoes. Stir in onion and garlic., Place all remaining ingredients except chips in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Add to tomato mixture, stirring to combine. Serve with chips.

GREEN SALSA

Steps:

• In a food processor, place tomatillos, shallots, garlic, green chile peppers, cilantro, jalapeno pepper and salt. Using the pulse setting, coarsely chop. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until serving.

MARISCADA EN SALSA VERDE (SEAFOOD STEW IN GREEN SAUCE)

Steps:

• Cook tomatillos in boiling water for about 3 minutes (they will change color), cool off in cold water for a couple of minutes, then chop in a food processor.
• Add onions and garlic to food processor and coarsely puree.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan and saute puree until onions are tender, about 5 minutes (I know this is hard to tell, but use your nose; the puree will smell strongly of onions, but once done, the aroma will be lessened).
• Stir in coconut milk, chicken stock, wine, and parsley; season with salt and pepper and hot sauce.
• Cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium high heat; add shrimp and saute until slightly seared, but not necessarily cooked through (will finish in the sauce), about 1 minute per side; set aside.
• Saute scallops until seared, about 2 minutes per side (will also finish in sauce); set aside.
• Wipe out skillet and add about 1/4 cup water and and lobster tails; cover and let steam about 3 minutes; snip in half, lengthwise, with kitchen shears, and set aside.
• Add clams to skillet, cover and cook clams, shaking occasionally, until one opens, then add mussels.
• Re-cover and cook, while shaking pan occasionally, until all shells open.
• Add seafood, including squid (calamari) to salsa verde and heat through, about 10 minutes.
• Serve with optional garnishes.
• ------------------------------------------OR---------------------------------------------.
• Once, salsa verde is finished simmering, pour it into an oven-safe covered casserole (a pretty one for serving).
• Add seafood, stir, cover, and bake at 325 degrees F until bubbly, about 30 minutes.
• Bring to the table in the casserole dish; pass optional garnishes.

FIRE ROASTED SWORDFISH STEAK WITH PINEAPPLE-MUSTARD GLAZE WITH CILANTRO CHIMICHURRI AND GRILLED PINEAPPLE SALSA AND PICKLED GREEN CHILES

Steps:

• Heat the grill to medium-high. Brush fish with olive oil and season with salt and pepper on both sides. Grill on one side until lightly golden brown, about 2 minutes, brush with some of the Pineapple Mustard Glaze. Flip over, brush with more of the Pineapple Mustard Glaze and continue grilling for 4 to 5 minutes, for medium doneness. Remove from the grill, brush with more of the Pineapple Mustard Glaze, place a tablespoon of the Cilantro Chimichurri on top of the fish, and serve Grilled Pineapple Salsa and Pickled Green Chiles alongside or on top.
• Combine the pineapple juice, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, and brown sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the volume is reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Add the mustard and cook an additional 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the lime juice, and white pepper. Let cool.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Grill the pineapple on both sides until lightly golden brown. Remove from the grill and cut into 1/4-inch dice. Combine in a bowl with the remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Place vinegar, salt and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Continue boiling until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved. Place the chiles in a glass jar or nonreactive bowl and pour the hot vinegar mixture over.

QUICK GREEN TOMATILLO SALSA

Steps:

• Heat broiler, positioning a rack at the highest setting under the heat. Cover a baking sheet with foil and place tomatillos on top, stem side down. Broil 2 to 5 minutes, until charred on one side. Turn tomatillos over and broil 2 to 5 minutes longer, until charred. Transfer tomatillos to a blender, tipping in any juice that may have accumulated on the foil.
• Add chiles, onions, garlic (if using), cilantro and 1/4 cup water to blender and blend to a coarse purée. Transfer to a bowl and thin out as desired with water. Taste and adjust salt. Set aside for at least 30 minutes before serving, to allow the flavors to develop.

POLLO CON SALSA VERDE (CHICKEN WITH GREEN SAUCE)

Steps:

• Sprinkle the chicken with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Dredge both sides of chicken through the flour, shaking off excess.
• Melt the butter over med heat in a large heavy bottomed pot.
• Add the chicken and cook over med-high heat turning once, until both sides are well browned, but chicken is not quite cooked through (about 6-7 minutes per side).
• Remove chicken from the pot and keep warm.
• Pour the chicken broth into the pot and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
• Place the green salsa, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, and cumin into the pot; bring to a boil.
• Just as the sauce begins to boil, reduce the heat to obtain a slow simmer. Add the chicken breasts back into the sauce and spoon sauce over each piece of chicken.
• Continue to cook until chicken is cooked through and tender (about 15 minutes).
• Taste the sauce and add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Place chicken on a serving platter and spoon sauce over each piece.
• Top each piece of chicken with a heaping tablespoon of sour cream and sprinkle some chopped green onion over the sour cream.

CHUY'S HATCH GREEN CHILE SALSA

Steps:

• Put all ingredients, except salt and lime juice, in a large kettle and bring to a light boil.
• Cook for 30 minutes.
• Strain liquid into a large bowl.
• Place solid ingredients in a blender.
• Add 1/2 of the strained liquid (about 3 cups) and blend until smooth.
• You may have to do this in batches.
• Add the lime juice and salt and blend for 30 seconds.
• Chill and serve.

GREEN CHILE CHEESECAKE WITH PAPAYA SALSA WILSON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Make crust:
• Melt butter and in a bowl stir together with cornmeal and water. Press mixture onto bottom of a 10-inch springform pan.
• Make filling:
• Roast and peel chiles and cut off tops. Discard seeds and ribs and finely chop chiles. In a food processor blend sour cream and eggs. Add cream cheese and butter and blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to a bowl and stir in chiles, cheeses, dill, cilantro, and salt to taste. Pour filling over crust and bake in middle of oven 45 minutes, or until center is just set. Cool cheesecake completely in pan on a rack.
• Make salsa:
• Peel and seed papaya and coarsely chop (you will have about 1 cup). Mince garlic. In a bowl stir together papaya, garlic, onion, bell pepper, cilantro, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve cheesecake with salsa.

PESCADO EN SALSA VERDE (FISH FILLETS IN GREEN SAUCE)

Steps:

• Blot the fillets dry--really dry--to avoid a watery sauce.
• In a blender, combine olive oil, wine, vinegar, parsley, onion, garlic, salt and pepper and blend on high until smooth.
• In a large skillet, arrange the fish snugly in a single layer and pour the sauce over the fish.
• If the fish won't fit in one layer, arrange the fish in two layers, pouring half the sauce over the first layer and the rest over the top.
• Bring the sauce to a boil over high heat.
• Immediately reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pan and gently simmer the fish for 15 to 20 minutes or until the fish flakes when pierced with a fork.
• Cooking time depends on the thickness of your fillets; if they are thin, they will be done in less time.