Simply Salsa

So...I have been thinking and thinking about what recipe I should post first on this blog and decided to start at the beginning.  Simply Salsa is the first recipe I created.  I was pregnant with my first son and was craving celery with salsa (I know...totally weird).  I tried several different store bought salsas but they just didn't do the trick, so I read the back of all the salsa labels I had to see what ingredients were the same in each.  Tomatoes. Peppers. Jalapenos. Onion.  Cilantro.  I thought to myself, "I can do this!" And I came up with this recipe and have been making it ever since!

1 (28 oz) can Petite Diced Tomatoes

1-2 Jalapeño Peppers (stems and seeds removed)  I like it hot so I use 2…and sometimes I leave some seeds in too!!

1 Green Bell Pepper

1 clove garlic  (or 1 tsp garlic powder)

½-1 red onion

Splash of red wine vinegar

Hand full of fresh cilantro leaves (chopped) about 3-4 Tablespoons

Salt and Pepper to taste

Pour can of Petite Diced Tomatoes (undrained) into a bowl.  Chop all vegetables into small cubes and add until you get the desired ratio of vegetables to tomatoes.  Chop cilantro (I can’t stress enough to use fresh cilantro leaves).  Add a splash of red wine vinegar.  Combine.  Add salt and pepper (more salt than pepper) to taste.  Allow the flavors to marry together a few hours before serving.

A few notes:

1)   Chop the vegetables by hand.  I have tried using a blender and a food processor and I do not like the taste or texture.  I don't know if it is possible to change the flavor by doing this, but to me, it does.

2)  Last year, I made a huge batch of this salsa and gave it to my kids' teachers for an end of the school year present.  I also gave them a small cilantro plant with the recipe card placed inside the plant.  This gift was a hit!  Whenever my son's 3rd grade teacher sees me, she tells me how much she loved that gift and that she makes the salsa all the time.

Additional Ideas for using Simply Salsa:

1) Guacamole:  Add a few tablespoons to 3 avocados and mash together with a fork.  Add salt to taste.

2)  Black Bean and Corn Salsa:  Make Simply Salsa but partially drain the tomatoes and add…

1 (15oz) can of corn (drained)

1 (15oz) can of black beans (drained and rinsed)

Season with a Mexican Spice Blend...I season mine with Tastefully Simple’s Fiesta Dip

*This is GREAT to make quesadillas with!  Just add cheese!

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