Food Chipotle Hot Salsa Recipe

Who loves that fresh Chipotle hot salsa they serve in the fine Mexican-casual establisment known as Chipotle? OK, you can put your hand down now since we’re pretty sure most everyone does. Plus, you look silly with your hand up in your office. Personally, I wish they sold the salsa by the gallon to take home with you, but since they don’t I did the next best thing; I scoured the internet to find a good base and then used that to create Stray Monkey’s own version of Chipotle Hot Salsa. Hosting a March Madness party? This will get your NCAA party going strong.

When creating the recipe I wanted to make sure it fulfilled two main requirements:

1. The salsa needs to taste great.
2. It needs to be easy to make.

After much trial and error, I bring to you the official recipe:

Stray Monkey’s Chipotle Hot Salsa

What you need:

• 3 tomatillos, husked
• 1 jalapeno
• 6 serrano peppers, stems removed
• 4 roma tomatoes
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 6 cloves of garlic
• 1 can of diced fire-roasted tomatoes
• And for a little extra heat: one habanero

There are three simple cooking steps (and one flavoring step) to the recipe:

1. Put all of the ingredients in a pot on the stove on medium heat. Leave the peppers intact unless stated otherwise, and stir occasionally for 25-30 minutes to bring out all the flavors.
2. Place the pepper blend into a blender.
3. After the blend reduces to your liking, add the whole roma tomatoes until the mixture is pureed.

The Seasoning

While the mix is still in the blender, remove the lid to allow steam to escape, and add the following:

• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Blend a little while longer to your desired consistency, and pour it into to your favorite storage container. Allow the salsa to come to room temperature before covering, and chill for 24 hours in your fridge.

That’s it. Pretty simple right? Enjoy your “better than the original but cheaper” salsa.