Family Salsa Recipe

When I married into the Laidlaw family I inherited the Laidlaw "easy" home made salsa recipe.  It was created by my mother-in-law in a version to copy a local restaurant's famous salsa. It was a good attempt and everyone who knows her loves when she makes a huge batch. Well, being the health person that I am, I revised the recipe just a smidgen to include a few better ingredients. So, now I am making this recipe a few times a month to always have some on hand. You can double the recipe and make a huge batch and it is especially wonderful to make for a big party or gathering. I have to say making your own homemade salsa also helps you to stay away from added  preservatives and chemical ingredients if you were to buy some at the store. It also is cost effective because you can make so much with little cost. I have frozen it before as well, and I am sure you could can/jar them as well if you like. I had a fried also try it with fresh heirloom tomatoes when they were coming off the vine and that was absolutely delicious as well. So the main thing is to try and get the freshest ingredients (the peppers and onions make it taste different).  And remember to keep it simple and enjoy on all your favorite avocado tacos, red lentil tacos, and anything that needs a kick. My favorite is mixing a little with some smashed avocado and making an easy guacamole. Or just enjoying with some gluten-free organic blue corn chips (pictured above)... whatever you do, make sure you try this recipe and see what you think. Oh and yes, if you are new to gluten-free... most all corn chips are gluten-free but you may want to check the ingredients just to make sure. I like to use organic or NON-GMO (genetically modified organism) which is not natural and not good to add to your system if you are trying to heal from foreign fake foods. So... try to buy the best corn as possible because it is one of the most mass produced products out there, and you want to make sure you are getting the best to put in your body. 

Ingredients:

1 28oz can of diced organic tomatoes without anything else added

1 small yellow onion chopped

1 ts. of dried minced garlic

1 freshly chopped jalapeno pepper with the seeds, or other small hot pepper of choice. If you want it hotter, which I usually do I add 2 small peppers...

2 ts of dried cilantro, or 1/2 cup of fresh chopped cilantro

1 TB of freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 TB of freshly squeezed lime juice

1/4 cup of dehydrated unrefined cane juice (sucanat) or agave works too

Optional:

1 ts. of cumin, or more depending on your taste

1 TB of balsamic vinegar if you are looking for a tangier taste

Put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend on a "chop" speed for about 15-20 seconds or until it is the consistency you desire. Then pour and eat. If you feel like it is missing something, just add a little bit more of something above until you feel like it is just right.... but really that is probably something I just do. :)

Enjoy and eat something fresh today! Maybe some fresh avocado, black bean and rice tacos...