For the first 23 years of my life, I thought salsa was something purchased at the grocery store or enjoyed at a Mexican restaurant. Then one day, I realized I could make it at home using fresh ingredients and everything changed.
The entire experience of eating salsa (with tortilla chips, of course) was enhanced. The juicy sweetness of tomatoes, the spicy heat of jalapeños, the subtle smokiness of chili powder, the crunchy bite of raw onion — it was like tasting salsa for the first time.
Don't be intimidated if you've never made salsa before, it's wildly easy and domestically rewarding. While having a food processor allows you to make salsa in mere minutes, it can also be done the old-fashioned way by finely chopping the ingredients. To check out my favorite salsa recipe read more.
Original Recipe
Ingredients
4 large ripe tomatoes
juice of one lime
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 jalapeño, seeded (optional) roughly chopped
1/2 small white onion, roughly chopped
1/4 cup cilantro
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- Fill a large pot with water. Bring to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice and water. Place next to the stove.
- With a small knife, slice an X into the bottom of each tomato, being careful not to cut all the way through. Drop each tomato into the boiling water and boil until the skin starts to peel off, about 45 seconds to a minute. Remove immediately and place in the ice water bath.
- When the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, peel off the skins and discard. Slice the tomatoes into large wedges.
- Squeeze the lime juice into a food processor. Add the garlic, jalapeño, onion, cilantro, spices, and tomatoes.
- Process until the vegetables are finely chopped and the mixture is chunky. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. If you prefer more heat, add another jalapeño or more chili powder. Enjoy with tortilla chips or however you desire!
Makes about 2 cups.
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GHD
I make salsa all the time when the tomatoes and jalapenos are in season. I don't blanch mine, though...I just throw them in the food processor with onions, jalapenos, cilantro, salt, pepper, and garlic. It doesn't take long at all and it's way better than the jarred stuff.
1As I said..........before........Holy guacamole Batman! Looks great with the peppers added!
2I'm going to try making my own this time. I like fresher things. Though I'm just going to have to assume by cumin they mean cumin seed powder and not whole cumin seeds.
3I love homemade stuff!! We also have lots of local places here that make it daily that you can pick up if you don't have the time.
4I like to make my own salsa so I can cut down on the onion and eliminate cilantro. I love to snack on homemade salsa and chip while I study.
5stoopeed: Yes, I do mean cumin powder.
6Mmmm... with my mom's fresh jalepenos waiting on me at home, I can't wait to make some fresh salsa!
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