How to enjoy Salsa Negra?

August 2, 2008 12:20 PM

I've recently been given a jar of homemade Salsa Negra. How can I best use it?

I hear a spoonful goes nicely with black beans just before serving but that's about all I know. Any help would be appreciated!

posted by ranunculus to Food & Drink (4 answers total)

"Salsa negra" doesn't mean one thing. What's inside the jar?
posted by gum at 1:17 PM on August 2, 2008

Response by poster: This is the Salsa Negra
From Rick Bayless


2 1/2 ounces (roughly 2 1/2 cones)piloncillo (Mexican unrefined sugar) or
1/3 cup dark brown sugar plus 2 tsp molasses
Vegetable oil to a depth of 1/4 inch for frying
4 ounces (about 50) dried chipotle chiles (preferably the cranberry-red colorados (moritas), not the sandy brown mecos), stemmed
3 garlic cloves, peeled
Salt, about 1/2 tsp

Any suggestions what to use it with? It looks very rich and dark and thick.
posted by ranunculus at 2:25 PM on August 2, 2008

You could try mixing a spoonful with mayonnaise to make chipotle mayonnaise. Or if you mixed it with sour cream and/or cream cheese, and maybe some cilantro and other veggies you could make a nice dip.
posted by cabingirl at 5:12 PM on August 2, 2008

I made this once. It is very spicy and intense, a little goes a long way. I use it mixed with sauteed shrimp, served over rice. And yes, a spoonful in the black beans is wonderful.

I hope the sample you got wasn't regifted from some that I gave away!
posted by Wet Spot at 10:41 AM on August 3, 2008