Simple Salsa

Some food traditions are more celebrated in our home than others. I personally can't wait for St. Patty’s day but my kids don't share my enthusiasm. They tolerate it to say the least. But Taco Tuesday is one they live for. My kids look forward to it! They remind me to make salsa. Heaven forbid I don't make salsa! My kids have become salsa snobs of sorts.

Salsa is easy enough to make. It’s cheap and you can make it your own. It stores for over a week if my family doesn’t eat it all the day I make it!! Now, I don’t like all salsas. In fact, I don’t like many salsas. I don’t like them very chunky. I don’t like them vinegary. Ewww!! I like my salsa simple with simple ingredients. But the great thing about salsa is that you can change it up! Everyone of my friends have a salsa recipe! Some roast the peppers, some add chilis that are hotter than hell, and some add canned chilis. And each one of them will tell you that their salsa recipe is the best! But give this a try!

Simple Salsa
1 can (29 oz) whole peeled tomatoes, drained
1 can (29 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
½ yellow onion chopped
Two gloves garlic chopped
One cup cilantro leaves
3 jalapeno diced
Juice of one lime
1 tsp kosher salt

I like to get my cutting board and my food processor pretty close together.
Dump the chopped onion.

Garlic

Cilantro...let's talk cilantro! I'm a bit a freak about cilantro. Most just shave it off the stems but I pull the leaves off the stems. I don't like the stems.

Cilantro is one of those herbs you either love or hate, but I figure is one leaf away from being related to the Shamrock so it's OK! If it's a bit too strong for you, start with a 1/4 of what I call for and add more if you can tolerate it.

Now the Jalapenos. Chop up 2 of the 3 jalapenos, seeds and all. Don’t worry, if this red head can handle it, you can too! Reserve the third jalapeno. Blame The Fireman! He likes the texture of being able to bite into it. If it scares you, dump it into the pot now.

lime juice (notice in the picture, it is missing! My tree is bare this week! Too many cervesas with lime last week!)
and the drained can of whole tomatoes. DO NOT ADD THE DICED TOMATOES!!

Now pulse until mixed

Personally, this is how I like my salsa!

but the Fireman and The Tortured Teenager…they like a little more texture. Whatever! So I add the third jalapeno, chopped finely and the can of drained diced tomatoes.

I cant keep my hands out of it to take pictures. You don’t mind, right?

We like these chips the best! They are local! Wish they would give me some to share with y'all (hint hint)

How do you like your salsa? Chunky, or smooth? Hot or Mild?