Molcajete Salsa

Last Updated: March 1, 2022

A molcajete is a traditional Mexican kitchen tool, made of volcanic rock and used for grinding ingredients. It has a vertical handle and bowl-shaped body used for grinding, serving and storage. A molcajete is the perfect tool to prepare salsa in – it makes it so easy to achieve the right consistency because you can control the speed at which you grind. Here is a salsa recipe using that’s surprisingly simple but packs.

Ingredients

1 Serrano Peppers
4 Roma Tomatoes
1 Small White Onion
1 Jalapeño
4 Tablespoons Chopped Cilantro
3 Cloves Garlic
1 Tsp Salt
Lime Juice

Equipment

Bowl
Molcajete
Cast Iron Pan
Knife
Сutting Вoard
Vegetable Peeler

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1

Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat.

Step 2

Cut off the stalks of peppers and tomato tops.

Step 3

Place all the peppers, tomatoes, onions, and unpeeled garlic in a pan until they are soft and slightly blackened, about 8 minutes.

Step 4

Remove the garlic from the pan. Turn the peppers, tomatoes, onions and garlic over and continue roasting for another 8 minutes. Peel the garlic.

Step 5

Remove the ingredients from the pan and set aside. Remove most of the dark browned skin from the tomatoes and chilies.

Step 6

Grind garlic and salt in molcajete. Grind down until a thick paste has been made.

Step 7

Add the peppers and grind down one by one. Add the onion and grind down to a paste. Add the tomatoes one by one and keep thoroughly grinding.

Step 8

Chop the cilantro and add it to the molcajete. Season to taste and serve.

Step 9

If desired, you can also add lime juice.

In the heart of Jalisco, Mexico lies the state capital, Guadalajara. The Spanish introduced the molcajete and tejolote (mortar and pestle), a food preparation tool traditionally made from lava rock, to the area and they are still commonly used in homes across Mexico to prepare homemade salsa at restaurants for that authentic taste.