Americans have fallen hard for chips and salsa. Take one look at the grocery store shelves and you'll see such variety in salsas and picante sauces, it's hard to know which one is best. Why not forgo the mass-produced jars in favor of controlling the flavor of your chip's dip right in your kitchen?
Making fresh salsa is a breeze and tastes that much better — and it doesn't have all the preservatives found in many store brands. You can vary the ingredients to your taste, but the basic recipe includes tomatoes (antioxidant, vitamin C and carotene powerhouses), onions (anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular boosters) and chilies (inflammation and pain fighters). You can add fruit for sweetness — peaches, pears, oranges — or fire-roast the chiles for a smoky flavor.
Wichita's farmer's markets are gearing up for the warmer weather, so bookmark this recipe and peruse the open-air markets in the summer. Until then, area grocery stores and natural food stores — including the new Fresh Market in Bradley Fair — stock all the necessary ingredients.
Here is a basic salsa recipe that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser:
Homemade cilantro salsa
6 tomatoes (e.g., roma, beefsteak, heirloom), diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
4–5 jalapeño peppers, diced (and seeded if you prefer a mild salsa)
Cilantro (1/2 cup chopped)
1 red onion, diced
1 tbsp. lime juice
1 tbsp. orange juice
1 small can diced chiles
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor.
- Process to desired consistency.
Serve with tortilla chips, with tacos, on enchiladas or over scrambled eggs.
Bon appétit!
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