Garlic-Lime Marinade (Adobo de Ajo con Limón)

1. Roast Garlic and Chile

Heat a small skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the unpeeled garlic cloves and the serrano chile. Let the chile roast for about 10 minutes and the garlic for about 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until they have blackened spots and their flavors are smoky.

2. Prepare Roasted Ingredients

Once roasted, set the garlic and chile aside to cool until they're easy to handle. When cool, remove the stem from the chile and peel the garlic cloves.

3. Blend Ingredients

Place the roasted chile and garlic in a blender or food processor. Add the oil and a scant teaspoon of salt, then blend until smooth. While the blender is running, pour in the fresh lime juice, blending to create a harmonious marinade.

4. Store Marinade

Transfer the marinade to a sealed container and store it in the refrigerator. The marinade will keep for up to a week.