Smoky Guajillo Salsa Recipe

Steps

1. 1Place large, cast-iron skillet on stovetop over medium-high heat. When skillet is hot, add 4 ounces dried guajillo chiles to skillet, arranging chiles in single layer without stacking or overlapping.. Work in multiple batches if needed.
2. 2Toast chiles 15 to 20 seconds or until fragrant and slightly puffy. Transfer toasted chiles to cutting board and set aside to cool. Repeat process with any remaining dried chiles.
3. 3Once all chiles have been toasted and cooled, cut off and discard stems of chiles. Slice chiles into strips.
4. 4Place guajillo strips and seeds in medium saucepan. Add 2 cups hot water and place saucepan on stovetop over high heat.
5. 5Bring water to rolling boil. Boil chiles 5 minutes.
6. 6After 5 minutes, add 1 whole roma tomato to saucepan. Boil tomato 30 seconds, then immediately transfer chiles, tomato, and 50% of seeds to food processor bowl using slotted spoon. Set saucepan of water aside.
7. 7Place large, cast-iron skillet on stovetop over medium-high heat. When skillet is hot, add 4 large cloves fresh garlic to pan.
8. 8Toast garlic, flipping cloves frequently, approximately 8 minutes or until cloves are tender and skins are lightly charred.
9. 9Transfer charred cloves to cutting board and set aside. Once cloves have cooled, peel cloves and discard skins. Trim and discard ends of cloves.
10. 10Transfer toasted garlic to food processor bowl with guajillo chiles and boiled tomato. Add 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 whole roma tomato, and 2 large cloves fresh garlic.
11. 11Pulse ingredients in food processor until puréed into thick paste.
12. 12Add reserved water to food processor in small increments, pulsing mixture to fully incorporate water after each addition. Repeat until desired consistency is achieved.
13. 13Once salsa is thinned as desired, taste salsa and add additional garlic and/or salt if desired. Pulse mixture to fully incorporate any added ingredients.
14. 14When satisfied with flavor of salsa, transfer prepared salsa to serving bowl and serve as desired.