Day 10: Garlicky Salsa Verde

The average Texan consumes so, so much salsa. And it's a year-round thing. So, even though this is a Fall-focused 31-day challenge (that is stretching out into November, heh)...I'm adding salsa verde. Because I can. And you can, too. Plus, tomatillo season goes into November.

Garlicky Salsa Verde
Tomatillos are those little green jewels most tend to walk right past at the grocery store or farmer's market. They are part of the nightshade family, which is related to the tomato. They grow in husks and are great roasted, chopped on top of a salad, or however you like.
Makes 3-4 cups of salsa

1 pound of tomatillos (the little green "tomatoes"), about 8 or 9 of them
5 garlic cloves
1/3 cup chopped onions (one-quarter of a large onion)
1/4 cup chopped chives
1 handful of cilantro (2/3 cup-ish), thick stems removed
1/4 cup water
2 tsp chili powder
6 dashes of Chipotle Tabasco
Salt and pepper, to taste (about 1/2 tsp salt)

Step One: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove husks and rinse the tomatillos; remove peel from garlic. On a rimmed baking sheet, spread out the tomatillos and the garlic. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip the tomatillos and bake for 5 more minutes, or until tomatillos are an olive color. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool a bit.

Step Two: In a blender or food processor, add the remaining ingredients, including a little salt and pepper. Next, add the garlic cloves and the tomatillos (plus any juices from the tomatillos). Blend until it is the consistency you prefer. (I prefer pretty smooth...few chunks.) Grab some chips and eat! Or top on some enchiladas. MMM.

With help from
Rick Bayless & The Homesick Texan, but mostly by trial and error :)

Ole!
Laurel