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.
GET FLAVOR MAKER
Download the Flavor Maker app to discover recipes, plan meals, organize your spice pantry, earn points to redeem on shop.mccormick.com & more!
RELATED ARTICLES & VIDEOS
Treat Mushrooms Like Meat to Give Them More Flavor
![Treat Mushrooms Like Meat to Give Them More Flavor]( "Treat Mushrooms Like Meat to Give Them More Flavor")
Treat Mushrooms Like Meat to Give Them More Flavor
Mushrooms are the meatiest vegetable—both in texture and flavor—which is why it shouldn’t be surprising that they take quite well to a marinade. And, unlike meat, the...
Prickly Pear Cocktails, No Prickly Pears Required
![Prickly Pear Cocktails, No Prickly Pears Required]( "Prickly Pear Cocktails, No Prickly Pears Required")
Prickly Pear Cocktails, No Prickly Pears Required
You know the pear, of course, but do you know the prickly pear? A fruit from the cactus family, they’re native to the Americas but now thrive...
Cook Perfectly Flavored Soup Every Time with the FASS Method
![Cook Perfectly Flavored Soup Every Time with the FASS Method]( "Cook Perfectly Flavored Soup Every Time with the FASS Method")
Cook Perfectly Flavored Soup Every Time with the FASS...
Warm up from the inside out with homemade soups. Following "FASS," you'll be guaranteed depth of flavor and satisfaction in every bowl. - McCormick Test Kitchens There’s...
