Two-chili Salsa with Avocado

Two-chili Salsa with Avocado

I made this recipe for Bruce Jones, my friend and the original Director and Producer of ABC15's The Sonoran Grill, my Emmy Award winning outdoor cooking series.  I would call Bruce up and say, hey come over for breakfast and I'll make you a ham steak bigger than your head.  He loves Mexican food and so I developed this Two-chili Salsa with Avocado.  Although I made it to go with Mexican Breakfast, it's great with chips and Margaritas or any Southwestern meal!

1/2 BUNCH Cilantro, chopped fine

Juice of 1/2 key lime

2 TSP Kosher salt

1 Habanero chile, diced

1 Serrano chile, diced

2 Tomatoes, diced

1 Avocado, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2" cubes

1/2 White onion, minced

2 CLOVES Garlic, minced

1. Gently mix all ingredients and let flavors blend for 2 hours.

Tex Mex Style Pico de Gallo

While I'm talking about Texas and Tex-Mex cooking I should mention, Pico de Gallo. 

Tex Mex Style Pico de Gallo

“Pico de Gallo” means ‘beak of a rooster’ which refers to the biting sharp heat that this salsa often has.  This is basic Tex- Mex salsa for nachos, tacos, or hot corn chips!

2 whole Jalapeno chiles, diced

1/2 white onion, diced

3 large ripe roma tomatoes, diced

1/2 bunch, fresh cilantro, chopped

2 tsp. corn oil

½ tsp. salt

Juice of 1/2 key lime

Mix all ingredients together and let stand 1 hour to blend. 

Makes 2 1/2 cups

Deep Fried Shrimp Tacos

Deep Fried Shrimp Tacos

12  Corn Tortillas, warmed up on a comal or frying pan

1 LB Frozen Breaded Shrimp, deep fried, tails removed

1/4  Head Green Cabbage Shredded

1/2  White Onion, minced or red onion sliced and rinsed

1/2 Bunch Cilantro, chopped fine

2 Hass avocados, pitted and sliced thin

6  Wedges of Key Lime

6  Chile Tepins

Salsa por Mariscos 

1. Place two tortillas, on top of each other, on each plate.

2. Place 2 of the shrimp in the center of the tortilla.

3. Top with cabbage, onion, ciltantro and avocado slices and set 1 lime wedge and 1 chile tepin on the side and serve with Salsa por Mariscos.

   Serves 6

Salsa por Mariscos

Salsa for Seafood

The little fish taco stands along the Sea of Cortez in Mexico use this salsa to give their tacos that special taste. The secret is the cucumber. It goes well with any fish.

4 to 6 large, ripe tomatoes, diced

1 large cucumber, peeled, seeds removed, and chopped

2 jalapeno` peppers, stems removed, and chopped

1 large white onion, chopped

1 bunch cilantro, cleaned and chopped

At least 2 teaspoons salt (I know it looks like a lot, but for the right flavor, it takes more than you would think.)

Place all ingredients in a large bowl and cool for about 1/2 hour before serving.

Makes 4 cups

Crunchy Chicken Flautas with Avocado Tomatillo salsa

Crunchy Chicken Flautas

If your idea of flautas is those little, frozen, pre-made, rock hard rolled up, taquitos they sell at the “Shopper’s Club”… then you’re in for a real treat.  A fresh homemade flauta is crunchy, juicy and sooo delicious.  This is where I use left over chicken or turkey.

Corn oil for frying

2 dozen 6-inch corn tortillas

1 pound cooked chicken, shredded

1/2 white onion, chopped

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

1/2 cup shredded potatoes (I use frozen hash-brown potatoes, thawed)

Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet to 375 degrees. Dip each tortilla in the oil for a few seconds, but not until crisp. Set the tortillas on a plate covered with a dish towel.

Mix the meat, onion, cilantro, and potato together. (The potato causes the mixture to bind.) Place about 3 tablespoons of the mixture in the center of each tortilla and roll up. Use a toothpick to hold the flauta closed. Deep-fry the flautas, 2 or 3 at a time, until golden brown. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Salt and top with Mexican crema, Queso, lettuce and Salsa de Tomatillo y Aguacate or what ever you like.

Serves 10

Salsa de Tomatillo y Aguacate

Avocado Tomatillo salsa

This easy salsa is a must for flautas.  It’s also fantastic with chips or Mexican breakfast.

6 tomatillos, husked and rinsed well

1/2 white onion, chopped

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 serrano chile, stem removed

2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon salt

1 ripe Haas avocado, peeled and cubed

Place tomatillos, onion, cilantro, garlic, chile, water, and salt in a blender; purée until smooth. Add avocado and purée until smooth. Add more water if needed.  salsa should be a little thicker than tomato sauce.

Makes 3 cups

Tex-Mex Tacos

Tex-Mex Tacos

This recipe calls for pre-made taco shells.  If you want, you can fry your own corn tortillas with the meat mixture inside.  Make sure and drain them on a paper towel, before filling them with the toppings.  My friend, Western author Bob “Boze” Bell, fries his tacos, holding the tortilla closed with an old pair of pliers!  I think the reason we never get poisoned from this practice has something to do with the amount of tequila we consume while cooking!

1 Tbl vegetable oil

1 small white onion, chopped fine

3 cloves garlic

4 Roma tomatoes, diced

2 Lb. Ground beef

1 Lb. Ground pork

1 large bunch cilantro, rinsed and chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

12 taco shells

Toppings:

 Shredded lettuce, finely chopped white onion, avocado slices, salsa, tomato, and cheddar cheese,

Sauté the onion, garlic, and tomatoes in a skillet until onions are soft. Then add the beef and pork and continue cooking until the meat is done. Remove from heat.  Add the cilantro and season to taste.  Assemble the tacos meat first then toppings in the order they are listed.  And add Beer… to drink… lots of beer!

Makes 12 tacos

Thai Hot Sauce

Thai Hot Sauce

Talk about good, if you’re a salsa lover like me this one will blow your mind.  The flavors are definitely Asian, well defined, complex and it’s very hot.  I like it over white rice with grilled fish, pork or poultry.

Dried Shrimp

6 cloves, garlic
2 Tbl. whole dried shrimp, chopped (Asian grocery store)

4 dried chile de Arbol

1 ½ tsp. raw sugar

3 Tbl. fish sauce

3 Tbl. key lime juice

3 fresh Thai chiles, chopped fine

Assorted fish Sauce brands

Combine the garlic, shrimp, chile de Arbol, and sugar in a small food processor and grind into a course meal.  Remove from food processor and add all other ingredients.  Allow to blend for 1 hour before serving.  Keeps fresh in the refrigerator for a few weeks. 

Makes ¾ cup.

Homemade Ketchup

 If you’ve never had homemade ketchup it’s well worth the effort. I know the San Marzano Tomatoes (from italy) are about $6 a can, trust me this is the best extra $5 you can spend in your kitchen!

When speaking of Ketchup we are thinking Tomato Ketchup, But mushroom and even banana varieties have been popular. There are several different stories about the derivation of the word ketchup, every thing from, fish sauce to type of soy sauce to a sauce of pickled vegetables.

Ketchup like Salsa can be made from many other ingredients, and for my money homemade ketchup again like salsa is far superior to its canned or bottled relative. Once again convenience provides a very stable middle of the road flavor that appeals to the masses but the wow factor is completely lost. 

Oh… and I might try substituting Chipotle (a peat smoked jalapeno) for the cayenne, but that’s just my Sonoran twist!

Mad Coyote Joe

Ketchup

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped medium

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 28-oz can San Marzano tomato puree 

• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

• 1/4 cup cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/8 teaspoon allspice

• 1 teaspoon Chipotle chile 


Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook the onion, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned. Add in the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add all other ingredients and stir well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened to the consistency of, well… ketchup, 45 to 60 minutes. 








Puree in a blender until smooth. 








Work the ketchup through a wire strainer into a bowl using a rubber spatula.





Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to a month. 



Salsa de Tomatillo y Aguacate Avocado Tomatillo salsa

Salsa de Tomatillo y Aguacate

Avocado Tomatillo salsa

This easy salsa is a must for flautas.  It’s also fantastic with chips or Mexican breakfast.

6 tomatillos, husked and rinsed well

1/2 white onion, chopped

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 serrano chile, stem removed

2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon salt

1 ripe Haas avocado, peeled and cubed

Place tomatillos, onion, cilantro, garlic, chile, water, and salt in a blender; purée until smooth. Add avocado and purée until smooth. Add more water if needed.  salsa should be a little thicker than tomato sauce.

Makes 3 cups

Harrisa Recipe... North African Chile Paste

Harrisa Recipe

Harissa is an aromatic, mildly sweet, North African condiment, that is fantastic anywhere you would use salsa or hot sauce.  This recipe is mildly spicy but if you want it hotter add more Chile Arbol, crushed red chile or ground cayenne pepper.

1 Tbl. coriander seeds

1 Tbl. caraway seed

4 large garlic cloves, unpeeled

4 large red bell peppers

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 Tbl. sugar

1 chile Arbol or 2 tsp. dried crushed red pepper

In small skillet over medium-high heat carefully toast the coriander and caraway until aromatic, about 30 seconds, set aside. Add the garlic and a few drops of the olive oil to the same skillet, cook, covered, over medium-low heat until tender, turning occasionally, about 8-10 minutes. Cool. Peel garlic add to processor.

Char bell peppers on a grill, over gas flame or in the broiler until blackened on all sides. Put charred peppers in paper bag, close and let stand 10 minutes. Remove charred skin and core and seeds.  Coarsely chop peppers and add all ingredients to a food processor. Puree. Season to taste, with salt and pepper. Refrigerate in a non-reactive container.  Last a few weeks!

Makes about two and a half cups.

Salsa por Mariscos (Salsa for Seafood)

We eat a lot of fish and seafood. When we make fish or shrimp tacos we always make this wonderful salsa. It really is the difference between just salsa or hot sauce out of a bottle and what is amazing about Authentic, Fresh, Mexican food! 

This easy recipe is from my second book A Gringo's Guide to Authentic Mexican Cooking. Amazon has it both in print and the E-version at the link below.

Salsa por Mariscos (Salsa for Seafood)

The little fish taco stands along the Sea of Cortez in Mexico use this salsa to give their tacos that special taste. The secret is the cucumber. It goes well with any fish.

4 to 6 large, ripe tomatoes, diced

1 large cucumber, peeled, seeds removed, and chopped

2 jalapeno` peppers, stems removed, and chopped

1 large white onion, chopped

1 bunch cilantro, cleaned and chopped

2 tsp. corn oil

At least 2 teaspoons salt (I know it looks like a lot, but for the right flavor, it takes more than you would think.)

Stir all ingredients together, in a large bowl and cool for about 1/2 hour before serving.

Makes 4 cups

Easy Taco Sauce

Ever wonder how that great taco sauce, form the authentic Mexican restaurants is made?  Great with any Mexican dish or chips, it's easy and you can make it!

Flautas with Avocado Tomatillo Salsa

Flautas

Flautas are rolled tacos that are fried. They are nothing like those little rock-hard taquitos you find in the frozen-food section of your local grocer. This recipe works well with several different fillings.

Corn oil for frying

2 dozen 6-inch corn tortillas

1 pound pollo deshebrado, Ropa Vieja, or Carnitas

1/2 white onion, chopped

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

1/2 cup shredded potatoes (I use frozen hash-brown potatoes, thawed)

]Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet to 375 degrees. Dip each tortilla in the oil for a few seconds, but not until crisp. Set the tortillas on a plate covered with a dish towel.

Mix the meat, onion, cilantro, and potato together. (The potato causes the mixture to bind.) Place about 3 tablespoons of the mixture in the center of each tortilla and roll up. Use a toothpick to hold the flauta closed. Deep fry the flautas, 2 or 3 at a time, until golden brown. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Salt and serve immediately with Avocado Tomatillo Salsa.

Serves 10

Avocado Tomatillo Salsa

This is a wonderful light salsa, great with fish, foul ar any light roasted meats. This is a step closer to Authentic Mexican cooking!

1 Ripe Haas avocado, peeled and cubed

5 Tomatillo, husked and rinsed clean

1/2 White onion, chopped

1/4 C Cilantro, chopped

1 CLOVE Garlic, diced

1 Serrano chile, stem removed

Water

1 TSP Salt

1. Place Tomatillo, Onion, Cilantro, Garlic, Chile, Salt and 2TBL Water in blender; puree until smooth. Add Avocado and puree until smooth. Add more water if needed.

2. Salsa should be a thick liquid, about the consistency of ketchup.

Katie’s Taco Meat

My daughter Katie learned Spanish at the age of 8 from the little Mexican girls next door. She spent many an afternoon at their house, playing, talking, and cooking. She brought this recipe home and made it for us when she was 11 or 12. It’s a family favorite. And it makes the best taco salad you’ve ever eaten.

1/2 white onion, minced

2 cloves garlic

4 tomatoes, diced

1 large bunch cilantro

2 pounds ground beef

1 pound breakfast steaks (round steak thinly sliced), sliced into little strips

Salt to taste

Corn tortillas, warmed

Garnish:

Shredded green cabbage, finely chopped white onion, avocado slices, crumbled queso ranchero, key lime wedges, and chile tepins

Place the onion, garlic, and tomatoes in a skillet and start sautéing. As soon as the tomatoes give off their liquid, add all other ingredients. Cook until the meat is done. Serve with warm corn tortillas and garnishes.

Serves 4

Tex-Mex Tacos

Today I feel like making tacos, these are quick and easy. They only cost a few bucks and feed a small crowd.

This recipe calls for pre-made taco shells. If you want, you can fry your own corn tortillas with the meat mixture inside. Make sure and drain them on a paper towel, before filling them with the toppings. My friend, Western author Bob “Boze” Bell, fries his tacos, holding the tortilla closed with an old pair of pliers! I think the reason we never get poisoned from this practice has something to do with the amount of tequila we consume while cooking!

1 Tbl vegetable oil

1 small white onion, chopped fine

3 cloves garlic

4 Roma tomatoes, diced

2 Lb. Ground beef

1 Lb. Ground pork

1 large bunch cilantro, rinsed and chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

12 taco shells

Toppings:

Shredded lettuce, finely chopped white onion, avocado slices, salsa, tomato, and cheddar cheese,

Sauté the onion, garlic, and tomatoes in a skillet until onions are soft. Then add the beef and pork and continue cooking until the meat is done. Remove from heat. Add the cilantro and season to taste. Assemble the tacos meat first then toppings in the order they are listed. And add Beer… to drink… lots of beer!

Makes 12 tacos

Rocky Point Shrimp Cocktail

My friend Ernie Bunch, the Vice Mayor of Cave Creek, has been coming to my open mic night, about two or three times a month, for the past 10 years. He has a very natural sound, down to earth, folksy and definitely western. We are currently at CODY’S every Tuesday night from 7-10. Ernie usually orders the Rocky Point Shrimp Cocktail, which is my recipe. He called me this morning saying that, “He wanted the recipe, but will cure the shrimp in Key lime juice rather than steaming or boiling it!”

I told him that was a great idea. So, find below the recipe. This is a recipe that my wife, Chef Kathy, developed, after we went to Rocky Point Mexico about 15 years ago. It’s delicious and is just the right thing for those days, poolside when it’s too hot to eat.

Enjoy

Rocky point Shrimp Cocktail /Gazpacho

Just add Cocktail shrimp to below recipe to taste and top with 4 or 5, 6-8 (per pound) cooked shrimp tail on!

4 C Tomato juice

2 C Tomatoes, diced

1 Cucumber, peeled and diced

1 CLOVE Minced garlic

1 Avocado, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes

1/2 Green bell pepper cut into ¼" pieces

1/2 Large White Onion, finely chopped

1/2 Jalapeno pepper without seeds, finely chopped

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Juice of 1 lime

2 TBL Light olive oil

1/4 C Fresh parsley, chopped

2 TBL Red wine vinegar

1 TSP Fresh basil chopped

2 TSP Tabasco sauce

1/2 TBL Dried Mexican oregano

1 TSP Honey

Salt to taste

4 C Tomato juice

2 C Tomatoes, diced

1 Cucumber, peeled and diced

1 CLOVE Minced garlic

1 Avocado, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes

1/2 Green bell pepper cut into ¼" pieces

1/2 Large White Onion, finely chopped

1/2 Jalapeno pepper without seeds, finely chopped

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Juice of 1 lime

2 TBL Light olive oil

1/4 C Fresh parsley, chopped

2 TBL Red wine vinegar

1 TSP Fresh basil chopped

2 TSP Tabasco sauce

1/2 TBL Dried Mexican oregano

1 TSP Honey

Salt to taste

1. Put everything in a large bowl. Mix together allow flavors to marry in the refrigerator for a few hours. As we say around Cave Creek, go take a nap with someone you love. A few hours later the shrimp is ready and so are you!

Easy Shrimp Tacos, Mmmmmm!

Shrimp Tacos

The little fish taco stands along the Sea of Cortez in Mexico sell these delicious tacos. It's a great deal $1 per taco and $1 per ice cold beer. Sitting on the beach watching the fishing boats come and go. Hands down that's the best time you can have for $2. Make sure to use the seafood salsa (Salsa Por Mariscos)we posted a few days ago, to give their tacos that special taste. It goes well with any fish!

12 Corn Tortillas, warmed up on a comal or frying pan

1 LB Frozen Breaded Shrimp, deep fried

1/4 Head Green Cabbage Shredded

2 Hass Avocados, pitt removed and sliced

1/2 White Onion, minced

1/2 Bunch Cilantro, chopped fine

6 Wedges of Key Lime

6 Chile Tepins

Salsa por Mariscos

1. Place two tortillas, on top of each other, on each plate.

2. Place 2 of the shrimp in the center of the tortilla.

3. Top with cabbage, avocado slices, onion and ciltantro and set 1 lime wedge and 1 chile tepin on the side and serve with Salsa por Mariscos.

Serves 6

Salsa por Mariscos (Salsa for Seafood)

This time of year we eat a lot of fish and seafood. We always have this wonderful salsa. It really makes the difference between just hot sauce out of a bottle and what is amazing about Authentic, Fresh, Mexican food! This is from my second book A Gringo's Guide to Authentic Mexican Cooking. Amazon has it both in print and the E-version at the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/Gringos-Authentic-Mexican-Cookbooks-Restaurant/dp/0873587871/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1303866790&sr=8-1

Salsa por Mariscos (Salsa for Seafood)

The little fish taco stands along the Sea of Cortez in Mexico use this salsa to give their tacos that special taste. The secret is the cucumber. It goes well with any fish.

4 to 6 large, ripe tomatoes, diced

1 large cucumber, peeled, seeds removed, and chopped

2 jalapeno` peppers, stems removed, and chopped

1 large white onion, chopped

1 bunch cilantro, cleaned and chopped

2 tsp. corn oil

At least 2 teaspoons salt (I know it looks like a lot, but for the right flavor, it takes more than you would think.)

Place all ingredients in a large bowl and cool for about 1/2 hour before serving.

Makes 4 cups

Red Hot, South Texas, Shrimp en Escabache

The weather is getting warm and at this time of year I start to think of my favorite hot weather shrimp dish. Make up a big bowl of this and serve it over butter lettuce with key lime wedges and Hass avocado slices. If you can find it a good baguette and an ice cold chardonnay will make this the perfect warm day meal.

Red Hot, South Texas, Shrimp en Escabache

1 Lemon, sliced

1-cup celery tops

½ cup crab boil

1 ½ Tbl. Kosher salt

½ tsp black pepper

2 ½ Lbs raw medium shrimp, peeled and de-veined

2 medium white onions, sliced thin

12 bay leaves

1 ¾ cups canola oil

2 cups white vinegar

1 ½ Tbl. sea salt

1 Tbl. Crushed red chile

2 tsp. Pink peppercorn

1/3 cup capers, brine

¼ cup celery seeds

15 cloves garlic, cut in half

2 sprigs fresh thyme

8-10 pickled bird peppers or 2 pickled Jalapeno chiles, cut in quarters lengthwise

5 dashes Tabasco sauce

1 tsp. White pepper

1 tsp. Black pepper

Fill a stockpot half way and add the lemon, celery, crab boil, kosher salt and black pepper. Bring to a rolling boil and then add the shrimp. Stir well and then remove from heat. Allow shrimp to stew in the hot liquid for 10 minutes and then remove shrimp and plunge in ice bath to stop cooking. Drain the shrimp well.

In a glass bowl layer the shrimp, onion slices, and bay leaves.

Emulsify the oil, vinegar and salt, either with an electric hand whisk, or in the blender. Then stir in remaining ingredients. Pour over layered shrimp.

Cover and refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours, stirring every 6 to 8 hours.

Mad Coyote TV is Alive and Well!

At 4:23 pm MS time we took one small step for mad kind and one giant leap for Mad Coyote.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWllhGd8KJE

Check it out Mad Coyote TV is on Youtube! Please tell your friends!

Warmly

Mad Coyote Joe

Mad Coyote Ketchup

http://www.seriouseats.com/ is a website I subscribe to. It’s a great food site, high-energy… lots of good ideas and comments. This morning they had a Ketchup recipe. If you’ve never had homemade ketchup it’s well worth the effort. These were my comments, and below is the recipe, if you try it make sure to use my changes. I know the Italian Tomatoes are about $6 a can, trust me this is the best extra $5 you can spend in your kitchen!

When speaking of Ketchup we are thinking Tomato Ketchup, mushroom and even banana varieties have been popular. There are several different stories about the derivation of the word ketchup, every thing from, fish sauce to type of soy sauce to a sauce of pickled vegetables.

Ketchup like Salsa can be made from many other ingredients, and for my money homemade ketchup again like salsa is far superior to its canned or bottled relative. Once again convenience provides a very stable middle of the road flavor that appeals to the masses but the wow factor is completely lost. The only thing I would change in this recipe is the addition of San Marzano tomatoes from Italy or in season fresh from your garden! Oh… and I might try substituting Chipotle (a peat smoked jalapeno) for the cayenne, but that’s just my Sonoran twist!

Mad Coyote Joe

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped medium

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 28-oz can tomato purée (MCJ Change Use San Marzano Tomatoes from Italy)

• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

• 1/4 cup cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/8 teaspoon allspice

• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (MCJ Change Use Chipotle chile up to 1 tsp.)

PROCEDURES


Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add in the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Add in the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomato purée, brown sugar, vinegar, tomato paste, salt, mustard, cloves, allspice, and cayenne pepper and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened to the consistency of ketchup, 45 to 60 minutes. 








Place ketchup in the jar of a blender and purée until completely smooth. 








Wash and dry saucepan then place a fine mesh strainer over top. Pour ketchup in the strainer and, using a spatula, force through all of the ketchup. 








Taste ketchup and adjust seasonings if necessary. Pour ketchup into a jar, seal, and store in the refrigerator for 3 weeks up to a month.