SESAME SEED AND ÁRBOL CHILE SALSA

Sesame Seed and Árbol Chile Salsa image

Provided by Marcela Valladolid

Yield Makes 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup minced onion
2 large garlic cloves
1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
1/2 cup dried árbol chiles
4 large tomatillos, husked and rinsed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Heat the vegetable oil in a large heavy sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic cloves and sauté for 5 minutes, or until the garlic is golden brown. Add the sesame seeds and árbol chiles and cook for 5 minutes, or until the chiles are darkened in spots.
Meanwhile, heat a medium-size heavy sauté pan over high heat. Add the tomatillos and cook, turning them frequently, for 10 minutes, or until they are pale green and blackened in spots. Add the tomatillos to the chile mixture in the pan, pressing on them with a spatula to break them apart and release their juices. Cook for 5 minutes to blend the flavors. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
Transfer the contents of the pan to a blender, and add 1 1/2 cups water. Blend until the salsa is smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cool to room temperature, and then serve.