Quick Salsa

Quick Salsa

This is my favorite quick recipe for salsa. I do love a salsa made with fresh tomatoes, but not only does it take longer to make, it also requires good tomatoes, which have a very short window of opportunity here. You can finely dice the ingredients and toss them in a bowl if you do not have a food processor or blender. I love the Muir Glen Fire Roasted Tomatoes - or more accurately, I am addicted to them, but you can use your favorite diced canned tomatoes. You can use any type of onion you like – regular, sweet, or red and can also use a bunch of scallions instead. Your favorite chile peppers, or a blend of chile peppers, sweet peppers, or fresh cilantro (or less traditionally, Mexican oregano or parsley) can all be added as well for great variations. Depending on how thick you want your salsa to be, you can drain some or all of the liquid from the tomatoes before adding them to the food processor. I usually drain the first can completely, then drain the liquid from the second can into the empty first can and then add just enough until it is the consistency I want it to be. However, especially when I am using this salsa for soups or other dishes that need liquid, I will keep all the liquid. This is best made at least a few hours in advance and can be stored for a week in the refrigerator.

1 large onion (44 calories, 1.2 grams protein)
3 jalapeno peppers (12 calories, .6 grams protein)
3 peeled garlic cloves (12 calories, .6 grams protein)
2 14.5-ounce cans diced fire roasted or regular tomatoes (for testing we used Muir Glen Fire Roasted Tomatoes) (240 calories, 8 grams protein)
3 tablespoons lime juice (23 calories)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Sugar substitute equal to 1 teaspoon sugar (for testing we used liquid stevia)
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Cut the onion if needed to fit into your blender or food processor and add it along with the jalapenos and garlic to a blender or food processor. Process until the onion and peppers are very finely minced. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until the mixture is well-mixed. Serve immediately, or chill for several hours and serve cold or at room temperature.

Makes about 5 cups salsa.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

331 calories, 10.4 grams protein total

16.6 calories, .5 grams protein per ¼ cup serving