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Ají Picante

By Nadia Domeq

Published on August 7, 2023

Time

15 minutes

Yield

Serves 6 (Makes 1½ cups)

Ají Picante

Ingredients

2 plum tomato, cored and chopped fine½ red bell pepper, chopped fine½ cup chopped fresh cilantro ¼ cup water 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 3 scallions, minced2 garlic cloves, minced2 teaspoons minced jalapeño chile 1 teaspoon sugar ¼ teaspoon table salt

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in bowl, stirring to dissolve sugar. Salsa can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Ají Picante
Photography by Beth Fuller. Styling by Catrine Kelty.

Ají Picante

Headshot of Nadia Domeq
By Nadia Domeq
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Time

15 minutes

Yield

Serves 6 (Makes 1½ cups)

Ingredients

2 plum tomato, cored and chopped fine
½ red bell pepper, chopped fine
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 scallions, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons minced jalapeño chile
1 teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon table salt

Ingredients

2 plum tomato, cored and chopped fine
½ red bell pepper, chopped fine
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 scallions, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons minced jalapeño chile
1 teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon table salt

Ingredients

2 plum tomato, cored and chopped fine
½ red bell pepper, chopped fine
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 scallions, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons minced jalapeño chile
1 teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon table salt

Why This Recipe Works

There are countless versions of the sauce, but one popular iteration is tomato-based and fiery from minced jalapeño yet tempered thanks to fresh vegetables and herbs. Plum tomatoes supplied juiciness but held their shape. Scallions provided a mild allium bite but didn't overpower the other flavors, and 2 teaspoons of jalapeño chile provided just the right amount of heat. Thinning the sauce with water allowed it to soak into whatever it was topping and infused the dish with heat and freshness.

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in bowl, stirring to dissolve sugar. Salsa can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.

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