Restaurant Recipe: Salsa from Coronado’s Costa Azul

Dear SOS: On vacation, my husband and I ate at an amazing restaurant in Coronado, Calif., called Costa Azul. They have the best smoked salsa we’ve ever had. Unfortunately, we live 21/2 hours away. I asked the waiter for the recipe, but he said they don’t give it out. I would love to surprise my amazing husband on our anniversary with it. Could you please get the recipe?

Tammy Sanchez

Victorville

Dear Tammy: With a wonderful blend of no less than six kinds of chiles, Costa Azul’s salsa packs a nice heat. Charring the chiles gives the salsa nice smoky notes, with tomatoes, garlic, onion and fresh cilantro brightening the mix. They were happy to share the recipe with us, so you can have a taste of Coronado Island at home.

Costa Azul’s house salsa

30 minutes. Makes 2 cups

1 jalapeño pepper

1 serrano pepper

1 to 2 habanero peppers

1 dried guajillo pepper

1 dried ancho pepper

2 to 3 dried japones peppers

2 cloves garlic

1 small onion, chopped

2 cups peeled and seeded tomatoes

2 cups fire-roasted tomatoes

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

1/4 bunch cilantro, chopped

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Roast all of the peppers, garlic and onion to char with a bit of extra-virgin olive oil on a sheet pan. Purée, and then blend with the tomatoes, salt, pepper and cilantro. Taste and adjust the seasonings and flavoring as desired.

EACH OF 8 SERVINGS

Calories 64

Protein 3 grams

Carbohydrates 12 grams

Fiber 2 grams

Fat 0

Cholesterol 0

Sugar 4 grams

Sodium 219 mg

NOTE: Adapted from Costa Azul restaurant in Coronado, Calif.

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