Basic Fresh Salsa

Homemade uncooked salsas can't be beat for fresh and vibrant taste and colour, and they're so simple to whip up that a new batch takes hardly more time than you would spend choosing from an assortment of store-bought varieties. I love to have it on hand for a late-night snack with tortilla chips or to dress up my morning eggs.

The basic ingredients listed below can be pulsed in a small food processor to any desired consistency, or simply chopped finely and mixed by hand for an extra chunky salsa, or finished off with any number of additional ingredients for which I've provided a sample below. If you like an extra kick, add another jalapeño or experiment with hotter peppers like habaneros. You almost can't go wrong playing around with these ideas to make the fresh salsa of your own tastes. I hope you enjoy both the process and the results!

Basic Fresh Salsa

2 medium tomatoes
2 jalapeño peppers
2 green onions, trimmed
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
juice of 2 limes

Optional ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, or to taste
1 garlic clove
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup refried beans

Other salsas and Mexican dips you may enjoy:
Simple Salsa
Guacamole
Black-Eyed Pea Salsa
Corn and Pinto Bean Dip
Hot Green Chili Sauce

On the top of the reading stack: Eat Vegan on $4 a Day: A Game Plan for the Budget Conscious Cook by Ellen Jaffe Jones

Audio accompaniment: Trentemoller - African People (Jokke Ilsoe Remix)