Apps, Comida Latina, Condiments and Salsas, Dairy Free, Recipes

Charred Tomatillo Salsa Recipe

November 7, 2013

Now that Halloween is over can we start talking about T Day? We don’t have to say its name out loud just yet, but you all know what I’m talking about, right? If you don’t know, let me give you a clue. It’s the one day of the year I go on a mashed potato-pumpkin pie-eat-a-thon then pass out on the couch in a food coma—it’s amazing.

But this year I’m forcing all my guests to play a game after dinner. I’m going to win and it will also be amazing. This year I’m breaking out Foodie Fight Rematch the newest food trivia game from Joyce Lock. Full disclosure, Joyce’s twin daughters and I were besties in junior high and I can tell you from personal experience that this lady is not joking around when it comes to two things.

A. Food

B. Games

I remember many a weekend gobbling up all her hors d’oeuvres while attempting to play trivia. She taught me the glories of fancy mustard and that it pays to be smart—there was no cheating in that house.

Foodie Fight Rematch is the third game in Joyce’s series. She came out with the original Foodie Fight shortly after graduating from the Gastronomy program at BU, then followed it up with Wine Wars a couple years later. All three games are full of genuinely interesting and very useful culinary information—I’ve learned a lot over the last couple of weeks. This game is for people who love food but the questions are broad enough to appeal to experienced cooks and eaters alike.

Questions like:

True or False: A cut avocado half will hold its color and flavor if sealed with cooking spray and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
A: True

What city launched Twinkies, Cracker Jack, Brach’s candies, and the Baby Ruth and Oh Henry! candy bars?
A: Chicago

What percentage of processed food produced in the United States contains genetically modified ingredients—about 15 percent, 35 percent, or 75 percent?
A: About 75 percent

Want more? Well, here’s your chance: Joyce has given me a copy to give away to one lucky (and random) reader. Just leave a comment below answering the following trivia question. You can enter more than once by following me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and leaving a comment there. I’ll pick one random winner by 11:59pm CST on November 14. The game will be shipped right to your doorstep just in time for the holiday party season.

Here is the question:

What vegetable was reintroduced in a 1945 marketing campaign presenting it as a new fruit called the “jamberry”?

Good Luck!

Here’s some spicy salsa to munch on while you’re thinking that one over……

Also, click on over to Chronicle to get Joyce’s spicy, rich pumpkin pie recipe and more Foodie Fight trivia fun!

Charred Tomatillo Salsa + A Giveaway

Yield: 2 Cups 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound tomatillos (about 10 large)
1 small yellow or red onion, sliced in thick slices
2 jalapeños, stems removed
2 cloves garlic, peeled
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 lime)
1/2 cup packed cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Heat a large cast iron skillet or comal over medium heat.
Add the tomatillos, onion, jalapeños, and garlic and dry fry until all the vegetables are nicely charred, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Transfer charred vegetables to a blender and add remaining ingredients. Blend on high until puréed and smooth. Taste and add more lime juice or salt as needed.
Serve immediately with chips or transfer to a container, cover, and refrigerate for up to a week.