Pepita & Chile Salsa

Name: Pepita & Chile Salsa
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: Mexican,
Ingredients: 2/3 cup pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds); 8 dried chilies de arbol stemmed and seeded; 2 tbsps vegetable oil divided; 1 medium onion chopped (1 cup); 4 medium ripe plum tomatoes seeded and chopped (2 cups); 1/2 cup bitter orange juice; 1 tsp McCormick® Oregano, Whole Mexican; 3/4 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp McCormick Gourmet™ Chile Pepper, Ancho; 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Toasted pepitas and spicy chilies de arbol give this fresh tomato salsa a nutty, smoky flavor contrasted with the tang of orange juice. Garnish with cilantro and serve with grilled chicken or fish, tortilla chips or tacos.

15m

PREP TIME

20m

COOK TIME

60

CALORIES

10

INGREDIENTS

Servings: 16 (2 tablespoons)

Ingredients

2/3 cup pepitas, (hulled pumpkin seeds)
8 dried chilies de arbol, stemmed and seeded
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)
4 medium ripe plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped (2 cups)
1/2 cup bitter orange juice
1 teaspoon McCormick® Oregano, Whole Mexican
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon McCormick Gourmet™ Ancho Chile Pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

KEY PRODUCTS

INSTRUCTIONS

1 Toast pepitas in medium skillet on medium heat 5 to 7 minutes or until fragrant and golden brown, stirring occasionally. Reserve 2 tablespoons for garnish. Place remaining pepitas in blender container.
2 Toast chilies in same skillet on medium-high heat 30 seconds per side or just until they begin to blister and change color. Place in blender container; cover. Blend on high speed until mixture is ground.
3 Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in skillet on medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir 5 to 7 minutes or until slightly charred. Add to blender container. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and tomatoes to skillet; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until slightly softened, stirring occasionally. Place in blender container along with juice, oregano, salt and ancho chile pepper; cover. Blend just until coarsely ground. Spoon salsa into serving bowl.
4 Chop reserved pepitas. Mix with cilantro in small bowl. Sprinkle over salsa.

TIPS AND TRICKS

Chilies de arbol are thin hot chilies from Mexico that are usually sold dried. If unavailable, substitute Thai bird chilies.

Bitter orange juice comes from the Seville orange. It can be found in the Latin foods aisle of the supermarket. If unavailable, use 6 tablespoons orange juice and 2 tablespoons lime juice.