Salsa Roja

What's America's favorite condiment?  Salsa!!!

Salsa Roja or "red sauce" is a common and wonderful blend of tomatoes, chili peppers, onion, garlic, and fresh cilantro.  

It's your basic or "restaurant style" salsa. 

I love relaxing with chips & salsa (plus a margarita!) and usually always have it on hand in the house.  Living in California we've grown up loving Mexican food and salsa is one of those items on the top of the list!  Some times we eat so much chips & salsa we're too full to eat our dinner!!!  Have you ever done that?

You are going to be soooo surprised how easy this is to put together.  And the FLAVORS, the FRESHNESS! Oh MY!!!  Once you try this you will never want to go back to jarred salsa again. Trust me...plus, the cost savings to making your own is tremendous.

Later on we will also explore a variety of dishes that utilize salsa so you get more bang for your buck!!  Stay tuned for those recipes.

So let's make salsa!!!

Add a 28 oz. can of whole or diced tomatoes to a large food processor.  Make sure to use at least a 10 cup capacity...this make a lot! (Party size!!)  Oh, and you can use 5-6 whole, fresh tomatoes instead of the canned if you prefer!

Add the onion, cilantro, a jalapeno (membrane and seeds removed if you want less heat), lime juice, salt, pinch of sugar, and cumin.

Turn on your processor or pulse and blend until smooth.  Or you can leave it slightly chunky if that's your thing...

Ole!  You have salsa!!  I told you it was simple....Now I put mine in the refrigerator for about 30 min- 1 hour to blend the flavors, but you can use it right away if you like.

Now go make some....go on!  It's oh soooo good!

Salsa Roja

Yield:  A little over 1 quart

Ingredients:

1 28 oz can of whole or diced tomatoes
½ of a yellow onion
2 cloves garlic
1 jalapeno, chopped (add less for a milder taste, remove membranes and seeds as well for less heat)
¼ of a bunch of cilantro – roughly 1 good sized handful
Juice from ½ a fresh lime
½ t kosher salt 

A pinch of sugar
½ t cumin

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a 10 cup capacity food processor.  Pulse until you get your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Place in a large container and chill to blend flavors.  When serving bring to room temperature if desired.  Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator up to three days.