Food Recipes Sauces, Condiments and Preserves Salsa Salsa Taquera Be the first to rate & review! Sweetness from the tomato and tang from the tomatillos complement the mellow (but not overpowering) onion and garlic flavors in this salsa from the Philadelphia taco institution South Philly Barbacoa. Soaking the jalapeños and chiles de árbol tempers their piquancy without dulling their flavors. By Cristina Martínez Updated on August 2, 2023 Tested by Food & Wine Test Kitchen Tested by Food & Wine Test Kitchen Recipes published by Food & Wine are rigorously tested by the culinary professionals at the Dotdash Meredith Food Studios in order to empower home cooks to enjoy being in the kitchen and preparing meals they will love. Our expert culinary team tests and retests each recipe using equipment and ingredients found in home kitchens to ensure that every recipe is delicious and works for cooks at home every single time. Meet the Food & Wine Test Kitchen Save Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: Clay Williams Active Time: 35 mins Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins Yield: Makes about 2 1/2 cups Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 2 ½ cups water, divided 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste 2 medium-size jalapeños (about 2 1/2 ounces), seeded and ribs removed 3 small dried chiles de árbol (about 1/8 ounce), seeded 2 large tomatoes (about 1 pound) 3 fresh tomatillos (about 12 ounces), husks removed ½ cup thinly sliced white onion (from 1 small onion) 1 large garlic clove, thinly sliced (about 1 teaspoon) 3 cilantro sprigs (about 1/4 ounce) ½ teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon dried oregano ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar, plus more to taste ¼ teaspoon black pepper Directions Combine 2 cups water and 2 tablespoons salt in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high. Stir until salt is fully dissolved. Remove from heat. Let cool about 15 minutes. Add jalapeños and chiles de árbol; soak 1 hour. Meanwhile, heat a comal or cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add tomatoes and tomatillos; cook, turning occasionally, until charred in spots and starting to soften, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside until ready to use. Drain chile mixture, and transfer to a large pot. Add charred tomatoes and tomatillos, onion, garlic, cilantro, cumin, oregano, and remaining 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium-high; boil, stirring occasionally and breaking down tomatoes using the back of a wooden spoon, until tomatoes and tomatillos are soft and falling apart, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Transfer mixture to a blender. Secure lid on blender, and remove center piece to allow steam to escape. Place a clean towel over opening. Process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Wipe large pot clean. Add oil to pot; heat over medium-high. Carefully add pureed tomato mixture. (Sauce will splatter.) Using a long-handled wooden spoon, stir in vinegar, black pepper, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, and boil, stirring often, until salsa thickens slightly and you can see bottom of pot when stirring, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Season with additional salt and vinegar to taste. Serve hot or at room temperature. Originally appeared: May 2022 Rate It Print