Baked Goat Cheese Salsa

(makes 4 servings)Printable Recipe

Ingredients:2/3 cup salsa - link this4 ounces goat cheese (sliced)tortilla chips

Directions:1. Place the salsa in a baking dish and top with the goat cheese.2. Broil until the goat cheese is soft and golden brown, about 4-6 minutes.3. Serve with the tortilla chips.

Since the baked goat cheese salsa had so few ingredients I wanted to make sure that the salsa ranchera was a tasty one. Although I like the ease of the jalapeno salsa ranchera I wanted to add a bit more flavour and I did so by using a variety of chili peppers including serranos and poblanos and by roasting them. Had tomatoes been in season, I would have roasted some fresh tomatoes as well but since they are not I went with canned tomatoes this time which is perfectly acceptable. I finished the salsa renchera off with some fresh chopped cilantro and a splash of lime for some freshness. I pureed the salsa in a food processor to ensure that it was nice and smooth for the baked goat cheese salsa.

Roasted Serrano and Poblano Salsa Ranchera

(makes 2 cups)

Ingredients:1 tablespoon corn oil1 small onion (chopped)2 cloves garlic (chopped)1 teaspoon cumin (toasted and ground)2 serrano chilies (roasted)1 poblano chili (roasted)1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes (fire roasted is good)1 handful cilantro (chopped)1 lime

Directions:1. Heat the oil in a pan.2. Add the onions and saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes.3. Add the garlic and cumin and saute until fragrant, about a minute.4. Add the chillies and tomatoes and bring to a boil.5. Reduce heat and simmer until the sauce thickens about 20 minutes.6. Remove from heat and stir in the cilantro and a squeeze of lime.