Salsa Roja is a red sauce from Mexico. It is used to make enchiladas and can also be served with corn chips or tortillas. There are many versions of this salsa online. The main ingredients though, are tomatoes, chilies, garlic, onion and cilantro. One method of making this salsa is to puree all the ingredients and simmer until rawness of the vegetables is gone and the other method is to roast or cook all the ingredients, puree and then simmer. I followed the second method.
I used dry red chilies to make this salsa. Ancho chilies, anaheim chilies, arbol chilies, guajillo or any Mexican variety of chilies can be used. I also came across recipes using jalapeno and serrano peppers. I did not use onions here but if using, can add about 1 – 2 tbsp. of chopped onions. I cooked the tomatoes here but can also be roasted in the oven.
Ingredients:
- 2 Tomatoes or ½ lb Tomatoes (I used vine ripe but even roma can be used)
- ½ tsp. Salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 Dry Chilies, lightly deseeded
- 1 Clove Garlic
- ¼ cup chopped Cilantro (loosely packed)
- ½ cup Water
Preparation:
- Wash and quarter the tomatoes.
- Take water in a saucepan, add tomatoes, salt and bring to boil.
- While the tomatoes are coming to a boil, dry roast chili and garlic until chili is toasted.
- Once the skin of the tomatoes start to peel off, about 4 – 5 minutes, turn off the heat.
- Add the chili & garlic to tomatoes, cover the saucepan and let sit for at least 10 minutes until chili becomes soft.
- Once the tomatoes cool, remove the skin of the tomatoes.
- Add the tomato chili mixture to a blender, add cilantro and puree until smooth.
- Transfer back to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 – 8 minutes until sauce thickens.
- It is ready serve or refrigerate until ready to serve. It stays good for at least two day in the fridge.
Note:
- I did not use onions. If using, cook along with tomatoes.
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Vaishali Sabnani says
Our family is a great fan of enchiladas . So bookmarking this and will make it the next time i make them . Sauce sounds delicious .
Leena says
Never heard of this dish,new to me, sounds interesting and looks tasty..
Padma says
That looks like a perfect dip for any thing for me beautiful..
cookingwithsapana says
Salsa roja looks very flavorful.I love garlic in salsas .Pictures are awesome Usha.
Priya says
Love that cute bowl, salsa roja looks simply fabulous and prefect dip to give a try soon.
Srivalli says
I like the name!..and the pictures are so captivating..
Simply Tadka says
Love the flavor of this sauce.. nice choice
Sandhiya says
I thought of making this, but others took the priority. A perfect dip.Well made
harini says
The pictures are stunning. The salsa looks very interesting.
srividhya says
Would love this with tacos and burritos. Yum
Sneha datar says
Decilious and tempting sauce.
Pavani says
Simple to make and delicious all purpose tomato sauce.
Suma Gandlur says
This is a quick one to make. I was expecting onions in the recipe and that would have taken longer to cook. 🙂
Priya Srinivasan says
Simple and flavorsome sauce!!
Mireille Roc (@ChefMireille) says
the roasted vegetables would make your version superior for sure