Best Mesa Fresca Recipes

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FRESH MASA CORN TORTILLAS



Fresh Masa Corn Tortillas image

Provided by Rick Martinez

Categories     side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 12 tortillas

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 1/2 pounds fresh yellow or white fine-grind corn masa for tortillas (see Cook's Note)
Kosher salt
Vegetable oil

Steps:

  • Knead the masa, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/3 cup water in a large bowl with your hands until well incorporated and the masa is soft and pliable but doesn't stick to your hands, about 4 minutes. If the masa is still dry or crumbly, add a tablespoon or two more water and continue to mix.
  • Cut and remove the zip top from a gallon freezer bag. Cut the two sides of the bag leaving the bottom intact so that the bag can open and close like a book. If using a tortilla press, trim the cut sides of the bag to fit the flat surface of the tortilla press. (If you don't have a tortilla press, you can use a smooth-bottomed 10-inch skillet to press and flatten the tortillas. Use the plastic in the same way you would use with the press except place it between the countertop or work surface and the bottom of the skillet.)
  • Divide the dough into 12 balls about 1/4 cup each (or 54g.). Arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet and keep covered with a damp kitchen towel until ready to use.
  • Heat a medium cast-iron skillet or large griddle over medium-high heat.
  • Place the prepared plastic bag inside the press so that the folded side of the bag is on the hinged side of the press. Working with one dough ball at a time, open the press and the top side of the bag and place a ball in the center of the press. Fold the bag over the ball and gently press, holding a steady, firm pressure for a few seconds to flatten the ball to a 7-inch round. Open the press and peel the top bag from the dough. Place the dough on your open palm and peel off the remaining plastic.
  • Brush the preheated pan with vegetable oil. Working with one at a time (unless using a large griddle), cook the tortillas for 30 seconds on each side, flipping 3 times, until just starting to brown in spots, 90 seconds total. Stack and wrap the tortillas in a clean kitchen towel and keep warm. Repeat pressing and cooking the remaining dough balls.
  • Serve the tortillas warm.

GRILLED SWORDFISH WITH SALSA FRESCA



Grilled Swordfish with Salsa Fresca image

Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 heirloom tomatoes, small dice
1 jalapeño, minced (ribs and seeds removed if you'd like less heat)
1 small red onion, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Juice of 2 limes
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
4 swordfish steaks, skin and bloodline removed

Steps:

  • Add the tomatoes, jalapeño, onions, cilantro and lime juice to a bowl and mix to combine. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for at least an hour for all the flavors to come together.
  • Set up your grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only. Drizzle the swordfish with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides. Place on the direct-heat side of the grill and cook until nicely charred, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Move to the indirect-heat side of the grill, close the lid and cook until cooked through, another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the grill to rest, about 5 minutes. Serve the swordfish with the salsa spooned over the top.

CUCUMBER-LIME AGUA FRESCA



Cucumber-Lime Agua Fresca image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • Puree 2 cups chopped peeled cucumbers, the juice of 1 lime, 2 tablespoons agave syrup, 1/2 cup mint and 1 cup water in a blender. Chill 30 minutes, then strain, pressing on the solids. Divide among ice-filled glasses. Top with cucumber and lime slices.

SALSA FRESCA



Salsa Fresca image

This quick fresh tomato salsa will always be best when tomatoes are in season. But you can pump up the flavor with a little lime juice if the flavor of your tomatoes is a little dull. Juicy tomatoes will yield a more watery salsa than pulpy roma tomatoes.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dips and spreads, side dish

Time 10m

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/4 small white or red onion, minced
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 pound fresh, ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
1 to 3 jalapeño or serrano chiles, to taste, minced (and seeded, if you would like a milder salsa)
4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, more to taste
1 to 3 teaspoons fresh lime juice (optional)
Salt to taste

Steps:

  • Place minced onion in a bowl and cover with cold water. Add vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes or longer. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • In a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients and stir in onions. (If your tomatoes are full of flavor, you won't need lime juice.) Ideally, let stand at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before eating so that flavors will blend and ripen.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 26, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 6 grams, Fat 0 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 302 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams

MEZCAL FRESCA



Mezcal Fresca image

In this mezcal-laced take on an agua fresca, the sweet-tart hibiscus syrup and warm allspice dram act in tandem to add layers of flavor and texture while softening mezcal's inherent smokiness. The mix of grapefruit and lime lends the drink acidity without tipping it acerbic. Because mezcal ranges in flavor, complexity and smoky bite, taste a few and choose one that suits your preferences. And, if you also happen to have sal de gusano - a traditional accompaniment to mezcal made from toasted, ground gusano (the moth larvae that feeds on the agave plant), salt and dried chiles - you can rim your cocktail glass with it. To do so, run the cut side of a grapefruit or lime along the rim and dip the rim in the salt mixture before shaking and pouring your drink.

Provided by Rebekah Peppler

Categories     cocktails

Yield 1 drink

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup dried hibiscus flowers, also called flor de jamaica
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon smoked flaky salt
Ice
1 1/2 ounces mezcal
1/2 ounce hibiscus syrup
1/2 ounce allspice dram
1/2 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
1/4 ounce fresh lime juice
Soda water, for finishing

Steps:

  • Make the hibiscus syrup: In a saucepan, combine the hibiscus blossoms and 1 cup water, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the sugar and salt, stir to dissolve, then turn off heat and allow to cool completely. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing on the solids to extract all the syrup. (You should have about 1 1/4 cup syrup.) Keep it in the refrigerator, tightly covered in an airtight container, for up to 3 weeks.
  • Make the cocktail: In an ice-filled shaker, combine the mezcal, hibiscus syrup, allspice dram, grapefruit juice and lime juice. Cover and shake until well chilled. Fill a rocks glass with ice. Strain the cocktail into the glass and top with soda water.

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