Dried Chile Salsa Recipes

Steps:

• Tear all the chiles into large pieces and toast them in a large dry skillet over medium heat until they change color a bit, about 2 minutes. Add the spices and continue to toast for 2 to 3 minutes until everything is fragrant. Remove from heat and carefully add about 1 cup of hot water to just cover the chiles. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler. Put the quartered tomatoes, sliced onion, and whole garlic cloves onto a roasting tray, spreading out evenly. Drizzle with plenty of olive oil and season well with salt and pepper and sprinkle with cilantro sprigs. Broil until everything is nicely charred, about 10 minutes (you want lots of deep rich color so don't be afraid if some of the edges get pretty black).
• Add the chile mixture to a blender and puree. Remove the tomato/onion mixture from the roasting pan and carefully add it to the blender, (it will be hot). Blend until smooth (you may need to work in 2 batches). Once everything is pureed, pour the mixture back into the pot over low heat adding a little water if the salsa is too thick. Stir in the sugar and lime juice and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a large serving bowl and serve.

Steps:

• In a medium stainless steel bowl combine dried chili peppers with enough boiling water to cover.
• Weigh chilies down with another bowl to ensure they remain submerged.
• Soak for 20 minutes.
• Drain off half the water, remove any stems if needed and transfer to a blender.
• Puree until smooth.
• Prepare water bath canner, jars and lids/rings.
• In a large stainless steel saucepan combine puree with remaining ingredients.
• Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly.
• Reduce to medium and continue to boil gently, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Ladle hot salsa into hot jars leaving 1/2 inch head space.
• Remove air bubbles, wipe rim, center lid, screw band down until fingertip-tight.
• Repeat with remaining jars.
• Place jars in canner-cover with lid.
• Bring to a boil and process jars for 15 minutes.
• Turn off heat, remove canner lid and let jars sit in canner for an additional 5 minutes.
• Remove jars, cool and store.
• Should make 6 to 7 pints.