Hot Aji Salsa

Ingredients

 * 3 chilies or diced chilies, stems removed
 * 1 small onion, chopped
 * 2 teaspoons minced garlic
 * ¼ – ⅓ cup vegetable oil
 * ½ cup roasted peanuts
 * 8 saltine crackers, crushed
 * ¾ cup grated mozzarella cheese or muenster cheese
 * 1 cup evaporated milk
 * 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
 * 1 lemon, juice of
 * salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

 * 1) Sauté the chiles, onion and garlic in a tablespoon of the oil until soft.
 * 2) Place in a blender or food processor along with the peanuts, crackers, cheese, milk and cilantro and puree until smooth.
 * 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) Heat before serving, and store any extra in the refrigerator.
 * 5) Note: Using saltine crackers to thicken a sauce is unusual but not uncommon in Peru.