Best.Salsa.Ever.
So … I am a HUGE salsa fan. I like it HOT. (Can you imagine?)
I started making salsa years ago and when I started I did things the “purist” way … even fire-roasted tomatoes! Well, several children later, I’ve graduated to canned tomatoes and I have to say that they taste every bit as good because all the other ingredients really “make” the salsa!
Here’s my recipe for my favorite salsa, and a few tips for those of you with more “mild” tastes:
- If you don’t like SPICY salsa, you can cut down on the heat by taking out the seeds in the jalapenos and all the white membrane that holds the seeds. **word to the wise** Be careful with jalapenos! I’m here to tell ya, I made the mistake one time of taking out my contacts with jalepeno still on my hands. It.Wasn’t.Pleasant. WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY after handling jalapeno peppers.
- Chipotle peppers are just smoked jalapeno peppers in yummy sauce. They can be hot. If you want a more mild recipe, simply cut the amount of chipotle pepper but don’t cut it out entirely. That yummy smoked flavor is AMAZING in salsa.
- Use fresh ground pepper if you can. It’s the best. 🙂
So without further adieu, here’s my secret recipe! Enjoy!
1 large white onion
1 red pepper
2 cans diced tomatoes – drained
3 jalapenos – seed them to remove the “heat” (I like mine HOT)
4 cloves of garlic
1 bunch of cilantro (yes the whole bunch)
1 or 2 canned chipotle peppers
2 tsp liquid smoke
1 T white vinegar
1 T lemon juice
salt & pepper to taste
Add these to your food processor and blend FIRST.
- Onion
- Cilantro
- Jalapeno
Adding these first helps keep the tomatoes from becoming “soupy”
Add the tomatoes last and pulse your food processor. The trick is to get it the consistency that you like it. It might take a few tries but keep at it. It’s worth it!
After you have blended those, add your liquid smoke (Optional if you don’t have it. Don’t run out to the store, just buy it for next time.), vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, red pepper & chipotle pepper.
Blend. Add the drained cans of diced tomatoes LAST. Taste for salt and pepper. Remember to PULSE your food processor. You want salsa, not soup. 🙂
This will make a whole lotta salsa! Enough to feed a crowd. Maybe it’s time to have some friends over… !
Enjoy!
Heidi