Saturday, May 18, 2013

Mildly Wild Salsa, The Best Homemade Salsa

Mildly Wild Salsa

I recently made what is now my favorite homemade salsa and I’ll most likely make it this way from now on.  I couldn’t think of a fun, clever name to call it and asked my mom for ideas.  So I credit her with what is now called Mildly Wild Salsa.  It’s got a great, spicy kick to it, but is not-too-hot to enjoy.  That is one thing I don’t like about some hot salsas—they are just too much to actually eat and like.  I don’t like chunky salsa, mostly because I strongly dislike onions, especially in any recognizable form. ;)  This has the perfect hit of flavor you need from onions (though I used shallot), but the real flavor punch is from the jalapeno and cilantro.  Can’t forget about the garlic and fresh lime juice either. 

There are a couple of Mexican restaurants where I love the salsa, I always say I could almost drink it.  I also like to say I love the smell of April Fresh Downy so much that I could drink it, too, but that’s a totally different story (and no, I haven’t and won’t drink Downy). ;)  Sometimes when we’ve tried making it at home, it has seemed a bit acidy.  We’ve tried putting a little sugar in it and that helps a bit, but this time when I made it, it was just too hot, even when I removed most of the seeds and ribs from the inside of the jalapeno.  We have also found over time that we like using canned tomatoes rather than fresh ones.  Many like a fresh, chunky salsa with lots of cut up veggies, but that brings up the whole raw chunks of onions that I can’t handle again.  After making this as I most often do and deciding it was much too spicy, I decided to add a can of tomato sauce—and it is so good!  It added just the right amount of sweetness that helps cut the acid and made it so it was perfectly spicy but definitely not too spicy.  Try it!

Mildly Wild Salsa, The Best Homemade Salsa, by Katrina, Baking and Boys!

1 jalapeno, ribs and most of the seeds removed (but leave some!) and cut into 4 pieces

1 shallot (or about 1/4 cup onion), roughly chopped

2 cloves garlic

1/4 cup cilantro leaves

1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8-1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)

juice of half a lime (or more to taste)

14 ounce can of diced or whole tomatoes (not drained)

8 ounce can of tomato sauce

In the bowl of a food processor put the cut up jalapeno, the shallot, garlic and cilantro.  Pulse a few times.  Add the sugar, cumin, salt and lime juice.  Pulse until all is finely chopped.  Scrape the sides of the bowl.  Pulse again.  Add the tomatoes and tomato sauce and pulse until  tomatoes are well chopped and almost smooth.  Serve with chips.

Mildly Wild Salsa 2

Perfect for snacking, lunch, dinner, snacking…….heck, it would work great for huevo rancheros for breakfast, too, or any other type of Mexican breakfast!

15 comments:

Emily said...

I don't think I've ever made homemade salsa before. This looks great!

Shelby said...

I'll have you know I had to turn my laptop on just to come to your site and comment. LOL. My phone wouldn't let me this morning. I love the addition of tomato sauce, I'm trying this recipe out but will probably make mine chunky since I love onions :)

Cindy said...

Hey Katrina, this looks like a fun recipe. I do love salsa, chunky, smooth, sweet, hot. Love them all--but I do have 2 sons who only like very 'non chunky' salsa. I'll make this next time they visit. I usually just go to Los Hermonos and buy a pint of their salsa!
Thanks.

Veronica Miller said...

I think salsa made with canned tomatoes is really great, maybe even better than fresh tomatoes! This sounds just wonderful and I have a powerful craving now!

Twila said...

I like to make fresh salsa in the summer, I'm one that doesn't mind the chunks, but this sounds good for a winter salsa when the store tomatoes taste like cardboard. Do you mind if I pin it?

Katrina said...

Feel free to pin it, Twila. Thanks!

Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry! said...

This looks so good and so fresh! I bet it is tons better than store-bought!

Katrina said...

Emily, make salsa. It's SO much better homemade. ;)
Shelby, aw, I feel so special.
Thanks everyone.
I have never found a store bought salsa that I like.

Elizabeth -SugarHero! said...

Oh man, now I am craving chips and salsa in the worst way. My husband is a salsa junky--he tells everyone it's his favorite food, and I have seen him eat it plain with a spoon, or with saltines, when we're low on chips. He'd be thrilled if I made him some homemade salsa this week. :)

Bella Baker said...

yum! I love salsa, and I am also looking for a great recipe!!!

megan said...

Wow - fresh salsa - I can't say I've ever tried making it before .... definitely on my to-do list.

Especially with chunky onions ;)

Nutmeg Nanny said...

Oh so tasty! I love fresh salsa :)

Alfresco Bars in Singapore said...
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Kene@Tax Return Production said...

Yummy !!
I love salsa. Look very spicy

Anonymous said...

How much does it make?