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The window awning at Taco Los Altos in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood boasts a blunt claim of “The Best Mexican Food.” Since there are no contextual clues (like “in the universe” or “on this block” or “cooked by stamp collectors”) I can’t confirm or deny the awning’s truthfulness.
But I can tell you that the food there is absolutely delicious. You have to try the grilled veggie tacos, with their scrumptiously flavorful mix of caramelized onions, peppers, carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, and more. You also have to try any dish that comes with their signature avocado salsa—part salsa verde and part guacamole, with plenty of lime and cilantro.
The last time I was at Taco Los Altos, a friend who has worked for years in the food industry as both a cook and food rep pointed out how easy it would be to come up with our own TLA-style avocado salsa verde recipe.
She rattled off the list of ingredients like the pro that she is, followed by some simple instructions for preparation. This is not the restaurant’s recipe, but it is a good enough approximation to keep me happy between visits.
It’s incredibly easy to make—plus, it’s a great way to get your cilantro fix without the tediousness of leaf-picking. Always a bonus for the Lazy.
Tomatillo and Avocado Salsa Verde
Ingredients
- 1 pound tomatillos papery husks removed
- olive or vegetable oil spray
- ½ large ripe avocado
- ½ cup tightly packed cilantro, leaves and stems
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 – 3 medium jalapeno peppers seeded and chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice about 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Slice tomatillos in half along their equators. Place cut-side down on a baking sheet and spray or drizzle with olive or vegetable oil.
- Bake in preheated oven until soft—15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of your tomatillos.
- In a blender or food processor, purée tomatillos, avocado, cilantro, onion, peppers, lime juice, and salt. (Start with a single jalapeno pepper and add more to taste if needed.)
- Refrigerate until cool—if you can wait!
Loved this salsa and made the following prep changes. Put 1/4 oil in medium bowl, add halved tomatillos and mix before putting in oven. Combine all ingredients in bowl and use immersion blender to mix, and let it set in refrigerator over night. Flavor is much enhanced.
mmmmmm. this looks like something i’ve been paying about $8 a container for! must try!
I’ve made it three times already. It’s becoming something I must have in my fridge at all times.
This recipe is really good. I grilled the tomatillos , onions and the pepper.