Salsa!!!

Quick and easy but absolutely delicious salsa!

About 18 years ago, I was living in Southern California going to an amazing Mexican restaurant in Riverside with Josh when he told me to try salsa. Yes, I went 22 years of my life never eating salsa. We didn't have it in my house and no one in my circle ate it - or at least offered it to me! Josh told me I had to try the salsa before I could say I didn't like it; I felt like a child being told to eat an artichoke but I wasn't one to not try new things. I dipped my chip in and well, it was love at first bite. I'm pretty sure I ate 2 baskets of chips and 2-3 bowls of salsa before my dinner arrived.

I was fortunate enough to work with some amazing people at the elementary school I worked at in San Bernardino City. One of the teachers I worked with, who later became a very good friend, was the daughter of one of the secretaries in the front office. Well, let's just say, I ate a lot of their food and we spent many holidays and time together eating and drinking. I asked for the recipe of the salsa they made and tried my hand at making my own. Well, what was supposed to come out red ended up being green. I remember adding more tomatoes but it became salsa verde instead of salsa roja! I still don't know how it happened but I improvised the next time I made it.

Ever since then, Josh, my family and friends have demanded I make my salsa instead of buying the store bought brand.

This is what I put in my salsa - tomatoes, onion, cilantro, green chiles, black pepper, garlic powder and jalapeño peppers. It's super easy to make and you can add as much spice as use desire!

Ingredients:

28 oz can of whole peeled tomatoes

4 oz can of diced green chiles

one bunch of cilantro

1/4 yellow onion

garlic powder - to taste

black pepper - to taste

1-3 jalapeños according to how much spice you want (I prefer fresh or the jarred variety but if I can't find either, I will use the ones in the can)

If you have a lemon, squeeze one half of it to give it a great tang!

I use our blender but I have used a food processor in the past. I literally throw everything in and blend away! I always have chips next to me to taste to see if I need to add more jalapeños, pepper or even kosher salt. Josh and the kids are pretty close by when I make salsa to give me feedback as well. Look closely and you can spy the bag!

It makes a decent amount and if I'm having a large gathering I will double up the recipe and it lasts for a week in the fridge - don't quote me on that. Josh and I are always willing to push it when it comes to my salsa.

This is truly the only salsa Serafina will eat. When my parents come over, I will make a mild version which my dad really appreciates. However, if it's for gatherings, the spicier the better!!

I have friends who have roasted their jalapeños and told me that it has made the salsa even tastier - I'm still waiting for my jalapeños to grow in the garden so until then canned it is for me! Side note- I haven't killed the jalapeño plant and I have one pepper growing. So excited!!!

Seriously, put it on everything!!! Enjoy! Let me know if you try it!