Hot Aji Salsa

Ingredients

• 3 'aji mirasol' chilies or diced 'aji amarillo' chilies, stems removed (or substitute 3 dried red New Mexican chiles)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/4-1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts
• 8 saltine crackers, crushed
• 3/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese or muenster cheese
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 lemon, juice of
• salt & freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Saute the chiles, onion and garlic in a tablespoon of the oil until soft.

2. 2

   Place in a blender or food processor along with the peanuts, crackers, cheese, milk and cilantro and puree until smooth.

3. 3

   Add the lemon juice and, with the machine running, add the oil a little at a time until the sauce is the desired consistency.

4. 4

   Heat before serving, and store any extra in the refrigerator.

5. 5

   Note: Using saltine crackers to thicken a sauce is unusual but not uncommon in Peru.

6. 6

   This all-purpose sauce can be served with potatoes, french fries, corn chips, fried foods, seafood, steaks or anything else imaginable.

7. 7

   The more you add, the hotter it gets and the BETTER it tastes.