Shhh! This is Chris from NibbleMeThis. Grill Grrrl (aka Robyn) is out this week and I thought I’d let myself in and mess around in her outdoor kitchen. I heard she’s got some cold Dos Equis in the fridge. Let’s have a few and grill something to eat. Let’s be honest. Sometimes we put so much focus on the main course that we tend to “mail in” the side dishes or condiments.
For example, if you are grilling chicken fajitas, it is easy to just pop open a jar of salsa verde as a condiment. But if you really want to boost the flavor of your condiments, let’s fire up the grill! While you are marinating the chicken in the fajita marinade and you’re already preheating the grill anyway, make this smoky salsa!
Fire Roasted Salsa Verde Source: Adapted from Steven Raichlen’s Planet Barbecue!
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Fire Roasted Salsa Verde by Chris
Ingredients
- 1 lb tomatillos, husks removed
- 1 ea Serrano pepper
- 1 ea jalapeno pepper
- 1 ea Anaheim pepper
- 1 large onion, peeled and sliced into thirds
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and skewered together with a toothpick
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 tbsp bacon fat
- 3 ounces chicken stock
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Get your grill cooking at about 450f. Place the peppers and tomatillos on and sear them until all sides are blackened. This should take a few minutes per side. Remove and place them into a plastic bag for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, grill the onion and garlic until browned (about 4 minutes a side for the onion, 1-2 for the garlic) and remove from heat. Skin, seed, and dice the peppers. Skin and quarter the tomatillos. Don’t be super picky about getting all the charred skin off, you want a little in there for flavor. Quarter the grilled onions. Place them all in a food processer and pulse them until you get a salsa like texture. Heat the bacon fat over medium high heat and then add the tomatillo mixture for 3-5 minutes. You’ll get some thick “pops” as the thick liquid heats but keep stirring. Mix in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, letting the flavors get happy together. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. The difference between jarred salsa verde (left) and fire roasted salsa verde (right) is striking.
Notes
Chris is a wonderful cook, griller, photographer and Big Green Egg enthusiast. Check out his blog at www.nibblemethis.com
This recipe was adapted from Steven Raichlen’s original as found in his book Planet BBQ.
The texture is obviously thicker but the rich smoky flavor it brings is even more impressive. It rocks its way through the fajita, filling out the dish.
It is one of those things that you don’t notice if it wasn’t there, but once it IS there, it is a huge addition to the flavor profile. Now let’s clean up this mess before Robyn gets back.
Fire roasted salsa verde adds flavor depth to fajitas!
Did you enjoy fire roasted salsa verde? Check out these related posts!
I am loving this recipe Chris! Salsa verde is the best.
I love salsa verde too! Especially this version with all of the roasted vegetables. I am slacking lately – it’s been awhile – too long – since I last made it.
Looks great, Chris. I’m going to have to pick up a peck or two of tomatillos at the farmers market and make a big batch to get me through the winter.
Chris as always you thrill my taste buds – this sounds perfect!
Tamy, thanks for making it over to my blog!
Regards,
Robyn
Thanks for checking out Reeni! Let me know how it turns out 🙂
Thanks for the link, Chris. This has now been pinned and added to my future recipes.