Living in Texas, I often take for granted the easy access I have to delicious Tex-Mex staples. Believe me, I learned that the hard way the first time I lived in France and found a "Tex-Mex" restaurant that had chips and salsa on the menu. It had been a long time without my usual twice a week Mexican fix so I obviously rushed right in and ordered. You can imagine my disappointment when the server brought me Doritos in a bowl with a suspiciously thin red sauce that tasted nothing like the flavorful salsa we had back home. I learned my lesson then that if you cannot find what you want, you can almost always make it.
All the ingredients you need to make this fast and fresh-tasting salsa can be found in any grocery store. So the next time you have a craving, try making your own salsa. You'll see just how easy and satisfyingly delicious it is!
Quick Homemade Salsa
1/2 yellow onion, cut into thirds
2 cloves garlic
1 bell pepper, yellow or orange, cut into large pieces
1 jalapeno pepper, cut in half lengthwise (seeded if you want less heat)
2 15 oz cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes (preferably with chiles or chipotles)
Handful of cilantro
Juice and zest of 1-2 limes
Salt to taste
Place all veggies (onion through jalapeno) into food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse a couple of times until veggies are well chopped and slightly larger than you want them to be in your final salsa. Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse a few more times to combine well. Taste and add more salt and/or lime juice if needed. Voila! Delicious, homemade salsa made in mere minutes.
Salsa can be served immediately or placed in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for a week.