27 June 2011

Wicked Easy Salsa

After months of impatience, the wait is finally over!

garden roma tomatoes

Thank goodness.  I was really getting sick of staring down green tomatoes.


So what's a girl to do with not one, but six extra-ripe Roma tomatoes?

Super Simple Restaurant Style Salsa
[Makes approx 1 1/2 cups of salsa]
What's in it?
6 Roma tomatoes
1/4 medium red onion 
1 medium jalapeno pepper 
1 clove of garlic
1 tbsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp of salt
fresh cilantro, to taste

Get Cooking!
I added the steps below for anyone making the recipe, 
but for those of you debating whether or not to make your own salsa... allow me to convince you!

Pick/Buy Tomatoes
Toss em in the oven + set timer
 Remove from oven + toss in food processor w/ the rest of your goodies

...and last but certainly not least...
Utilize your favorite method for shoveling salsa into your face

restaurant style salsa with roma tomatoes

Easy, right?  Here are the detailed instructions for those of you getting your salsa on: Preheat oven to broil on high.  Line a baking sheet with foil and roast tomatoes, whole, for 15-20 minutes on the center rack of the oven.  Don't be alarmed when the skin of the tomatoes peels back a bit during cooking; some will bubble, some may turn inside out, but its totally normal! Once tomatoes have had their time in the oven and cooled down a bit, toss everything in the food processor and pulse a few times.  Once blended, allow to cool to room temperature and dig in face first with some chips or veggies!

Tips
For medium salsa, add a whole jalapeno.  To make a mild salsa without heat, remove the seeds and ribs of the jalapeno before blending.  Want it super mild? White onion has less flavor than red/purple and is a little blander for kids and sensitive taste-buds.  Want it super spicy? You know what to do! Add an extra pepper or grab a habanero even! =)  When it comes to choosing amounts of cilantro, onion, and pepper to add, start with a little of each and then taste and add as you go.  The ratio in this recipe, to me, tastes exactly like the salsa Mexican restaurants serve + is so good I've been making it every week!  For thicker salsa, add the onion, pepper, garlic and cilantro to the food processor first, blend, then add the cooked tomatoes and pulse just a few times.  

restaurant style salsa

So... How was it?
Awesome on everything! Since the oven was already hot, I topped some chips with organic cheddar and  [fridge pickled peppers] and made some impromptu nachos for the salsa.  The next morning the salsa went on my eggs and, as soon as I finish this post, the remainder is getting mixed into an avocado to make some guacamole. 


There's no right or wrong way to make salsa.. & with tomatoes so deliciously in season right now,
there's no reason not to make at least one bowl this summer ;)  

What's your favorite type of salsa?
Traditional? Pineapple? Mango? Rock your face off Habanero Salsa? 
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130 Comments - Leave Yours!:

Kris @ everywhereorange.com said...

This looks fantastic!!! i am so hungry right now :) i have many green tomatoes in my garden this is the first thing i am making with them. after i eat one right off the vine of course :)

Tricia said...

it looks great! we've been baking our own chips and the salsa would go great with them

Michelle said...

I love salsa! My favorite is pineapple or a mango/peach! I hope you feel better soon my love! XOXOXO

Miss.C said...

mm I'm gonna have to try this! I love salsa more than life itself.

Marie@PoutyPinkPrincess said...

I'm making this! I'm a salsa freak! Also, if you happen to have On the Border's queso recipe...bring it on! haha!

Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn said...

I may have missed this in the shuffle, but do you live in New England? I grew up in New Hampshire and we used "wicked" as an adjective for EVERYTHING. Hahahah I miss it so much!!! I can't wait to make this salsa I hate buying store bought all the timeeee

jane @ The Borrowed Abode said...

Oh yay, I'm not the only one who likes to make fresh salsa! I like it a little differently, though - I prefer fresh raw tomato flavor to roasted. So I just toss'em in the blender with some peppers and stuff.
Hmm...I think I feel a WIAW coming on. :)
Did you get your hair cut?

Ellie@fitforthesoul said...

Mmmm delicious photos Jen! I would have to say my fave salsa is chipotle flavor! :D

Ameena said...

I LOVE salsa. I actually buy 3-4 jars at a time. It's a bit of a problem for me actually but I guess it's not like I'm downing chocolate or something, right?

Great recipe. Easy recipe. I love it.

Tessa @ Amazing Asset said...

This recipe for salsa looks wonderful! I don't like things too spicy, so I bet this one would be ideal for me
I like mango and pineapple salsas a whole lot. The sweet flavor adds a nice subtle touch

Swirls of Happy said...

Easy and delicious!!! Thanks for posting ;) MMMM

Courtney B said...

Oh you have NOO idea how excited I am about this!! As much as I LOVE salsa... I've never made it! But I am so making this! This week!! Ah I can't wait! Thank you thank you for posting Jen!!!
P.s. CUTE hair!! ;)

Jenn said...

Oh yum! My little tomatoes needs to ripen NOW so I can make up a huge batch of that salsa!

Megan said...

YUM!! Anything Mexican related is the key to my heart! : )

Chels said...

I love salsa, I'll definitely remember this!!

Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said...

Mmmmmm...we always have a Mexican night on vacation, and we have nachos JUST like these. I might have to make this salsa to go along with them :-)

Alyssa @ Life of bLyss said...

lets be real life best friends. you make me salsa, I eat salsa.

sounds sorta wonderful, no?

Cait @ Beyond Bananas said...

That does look super easy! I think salsa is an awesome summer dish!!

Amanda @ .running with spoons. said...

Okay, you being such a genius in the kitchen makes me feel guilty for being lazy and constantly relying on storebought! If you start making chocolate pudding, too, we might not be able to be friends anymore ;)

I love salsa and have no problem eating it straight from the jar. Traditional is usually my favorite, and nothing too hot because I have wimpy tastebuds.

Sunny & Star said...

Thanks for sharing! I LOVE salsa.

Lauren @ What Lauren Likes said...

I love salsa. I go to Cosco and buy the biggest freaking jug and finish it in like a week. Your recipe will defs save me some money :) love it!!

Lindsay and James Cotter said...

this looks BETTER than a restaurant salsa dish. And so does your cute face!

April said...

Oh yum, that really does look like restaurant style salsa! I much prefer the saucier kind to the chunky pico de gallo style salsa, and it's hard to find a good recipe for it!

It'll be great to replace the store bought salsa I'm munching now with a homemade version!

Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit said...

I'm a traditional salsa girl, in fact I just made some tonight for dinner!

Andrea @ Vegvacious said...

I have tomatoes and jalapenos just starting on my plants -- I am SO excited for homemade salsa!!!

In Katrina's Kitchen said...

Anything that is "wicked easy" is on my must-make list! lol

Lizzy said...

Yum! I never would have guessed salsa would be so easy to make! We'd have to make two versions--the get the fire extinguisher ready for me and hubby and a mild one for the kiddos! I think I will be trying to make some salsa soon! + we love it on eggs too! =)

Katy said...

I've never liked salsa. I'm weird, I know...

jessica said...

yummy! looks so easy and delish!

i've never made my own, so i will definitely have to try this soon!

Young and Fabulous said...

making this tomorrow :-)

but it wont look as nearly as pretty as yours with your fancy lil dipping bowls!

xoxox

Christine @ Merf In Progress said...

I'm so jealous of your tomatoes! I can't wait for mine to ripen!

Jessie said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE fresh salsa! I can't wait for our romas to grow!! (and our jalapenos, onions and garlic) My mouth is watering already! Thanks for the yummy pics and recipe:)

Dorry said...

DELICIOUS! I love homemade salsa, and this looks amazing from those fresh garden tomatoes. I like a traditional spicy red salsa. :)

Ashley said...

wow jen.....you are truly one of those "natural beauty" people!!!

Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food said...

I love just regular fresh salsa! Nothing beats the fresh tomato taste!

P.S. Your new pic on here is super cute! :-D

Lindsay said...

1. Delish. This looks so good!

2. Where are you from? Nobody says wicked unless they're from New England! :)

Meri said...

Mmmmm I haven't made any homemade salsa this year but I can't WAIT!

Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table said...

I love when salsa is served warmed. It really brings out the flavors for me!

For cold salsa, I like it hot, tomato-based, with chunks of PEACHES.

Christine (The Raw Project) said...

Om my, the salsa sounds just perfect! Thank goodness I just planted more tomatoes! :-)

Aleyta said...

Stop, its late and you are making me hungryyyy! For me the spicier the better. And I've been known to save taco bell hot sauce for later uses. Terrible I know.

bananas. said...

oh lady i like my salsa habanero hot so add a few ghost peppers and then we'll talk ;)

ps. congrats on the new cam!

Sara @ Nourish and Flourish said...

NO salsa beats homemade salsa!! I took a cooking class while I was living abroad in Mexico during college, and we made fresh salsa every day. I seriously could have eaten BOWLS of that stuff. Thanks for reminding me that even though there are tons of pre-made salsas for sale in the grocery store, taking the time to make it yourself is totally worth the extra effort.

I love adding fruit to salsa--mango, pineapple, strawberry, peach...mmm!

Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun said...

I love GOOD salsa. Some salsas are just so meh and super runny. I like it hearty. Yours looks perfect!

radiomomrhetoric said...

Weird growing season this year leaves me waiting for my 12 tomato plants to produce something. I know they will, I just wish I was more patient!!! Looks Yummo jenn!

Paula said...

I should have what I need to make this ready in my garden very soon. Your recipe sounds great and I do plan to try it. I like your version with roasted tomatoes to make it smooth.

WillJogForFood said...

Your salsa looks so delish! i'm putting up my classic guac recipe up today...i bet they would be good together ;)

I love tomatillo salsa...so tangy & refreshing

jillian :: cornflake dreams. said...

YUM! i LOVE fresh salsa. i usually make mine with LOTS of garlic, tons of cilantro, lime juice, jalepenos, onions, and tomatoes. xoxo jillian:: stop by! i'm hosting a jewelry giveaway

Parita @ myinnershakti said...

YUM! I love me some good homemade salsa! And your so cute...share some more pics of YOU!

Errign said...

I love just plain medium spice salsa. Bonus points if it's the kind in the deli that's refrigerated because those ones usually have lime and cilantro added too!

Anastasia said...

Yum! My husband is a salsa addict and I am totally making this for him. Thanks!

Lisa @ Healthful Sense said...

Love nachos! Love salsa! Just made a "salsa salad" with jalapeno peppers I'll post tomorrow for WIAW. It was a little too HOT for me though. Next time I'm gonna tone it down a little.

Cait's Plate said...

That looks perfect! I definitely want to try this.

I really like any kind of salsa - as long as there's a chip to dip it in ;)

Leanne said...

I must say that I have that same plate (the one with the lovely tomatoes on it), only mine is in miniature "appetizer" size! I love them!

Laura @ Adventures In WIC said...

Yum! I've never made my own salsa before. We usually make a ridiculous amount of sauce and freeze it for pasta dishes. Now if only my tomatoes would cooperate! They keep turning red ooonnneee atttt a tiiiiiime ;)

Faith said...

So exciting that your homegrown tomatoes are ripe...waiting is the hardest part, right? ;) The salsa looks perfect!

KT @ KT's Refinishing School said...

That looks delicious! Our favorite salsa involves habaneros and pears--the pear cuts the heat so you get the flavor of the habaneros without melting your face off :)

EA-The Spicy RD said...

Love making something that's "wicked easy" ! I've always made my salsa by chopping everything up, which tastes great, but can be very time consuming!!! Your version with roasted tomatoes looks great!

Ashley @AlmostVegGirlie said...

Yum, I love salsa! I have made my own strawberry salsa before which was amazing! My favorite kind is anything with fruit or the good old poco de gallo.

pawsitivelife said...

I tried some mango salsa this weekend and it was FANTASTIC..I feel like I have been missing out all my life. PS my ferrets are big fans of tomatoes. They try to hunt them down when they are out and about

forgottenbeast said...

Yuumm, I love homemade salsa! And yours is so pretty! I don't go for the funky salsas, I like traditional (and HOT).

Sunny & Star said...

I love traditional salsa. I eat it several times a week. Yum!

justabouthome said...

We make fresh salsa weekly at my house! For a little more heat I like to use serrano peppers. Mmmmmm.

Val said...

Ya know, when I see the word wicked it just makes me happy!! I can not wait to fresh this wicked awesome salsa.

Hannah @ The New Black said...

Yummers! That gray and yellow plate is so cute...where did you get it?

Sam {fitnessfoodandfaith.blogspot.com} said...

oh my yum. great recipe!!

Erin @ UntilYouTri said...

Haha, I love this post title and your green tomato face:). So glad they finally turned red for you!

Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life said...

I need to try this asap! I love hot salsa. The hotter, the better!

simplynutritiouskate said...

oooh that looks so good theres nothing better than restaurant salsa with fresh salty chips!

Kayla @ Small Town Life said...

I love homemade salsa!! Yours sounds pretty tasty!

Chelsea Elizabeth. said...

I am obsessed with any kind of mexican food. I love salsas with chips. I am really craving this now!!

<3Chelsea Elizabeth
http://www.organizedxxmess.blogspot.com

Kate (What Kate is Cooking) said...

The salsa looks great and so does your hair! So pretty :)

Jenny said...

I love salsa! This is making me want some chips and dip lol :D

Cat@BudgetBlonde.com said...

That's the cutest pic of you with the tomatoe!!!! Haha so glad they finally turned red!!
xoxo
Cat@BudgetBlonde

Chandeen @ Designed by Chance said...

Oh yum, I've got to try this! Guacamole too!

Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli said...

This looks delicious girl! Can you believe I've never made my own salsa?! What the heck am I waiting for?? I'm jealous of all your tomatoes! Frankie G's only given me one eensy weensy one so far!

owlmazing said...

Lucky!! Home grown tomatoes are heavenly. I can't wait for mine to grow!! I'm still at the flowering stage...bit of a late bloomer over here (haha). I've never made homemade salsa before, which is ridiculous! Especially when it looks this good.

iheartvegetables said...

yummmmy!!! Chips and salsa is like my favorite thing EVER! and my favorite salsa is probably spicy black bean!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Jen this really does look delicious and really easy. Just the kind of recipes that I like!!

made-to-travel.com said...

YUUUUUUUUUM, bookmarking!

Melinda said...

I need to try this recipe asap- I have TONS of tomatoes out of my garden this year! I love the idea of roasting the tomatoes first- I have never made salsa that way- can't wait to try it out!

Maridith @ Strictly Homemade said...

I love a good salsa recipe. I am book marking this to make next week. Thanks so much for sharing!! I would of never thought to put tomatoes in the oven. Brilliant!!

Nicolette @ Momnivore's Dilemma said...

xoxo.

Can't wait til I start getting tomatoes...that's usually August in Chicago...

Thanks for linking up and being first in show at the linky!

:) Love ya, Jenn!

Little Brick Ranch said...

Girl - I have been eating nachos all week and now I am jonesin' for some more!! This salsa looks super...I cant wait for my 16 tomato plants to start baring some fruit!

Thanks for linking up to Foodie Friday. I hope to see you again next week!!

Maggie said...

this look amazing, i have it file into my recipe box...


Don’t forget to add it to our linking party for our readers to discover your blog at

http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/06/2011-4th-of-july-celebration-menu-from.html
Maggie
http://passionatelyartistic.com

ladybehindthecurtain.com said...

Your recipe looks so good. I would love it if you came over to my party "Cast Party Wednesday" tomorrow and shared some of your recipes with us.
Thanks,
I hope to see you there!

Maridith @ Strictly Homemade said...

I love a good salsa recipe. I am book marking this to make next week. Thanks so much for sharing!! I would of never thought to put tomatoes in the oven. Brilliant!!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemakin said...

Jen this really does look delicious and really easy. Just the kind of recipes that I like!!

Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli said...

This looks delicious girl! Can you believe I've never made my own salsa?! What the heck am I waiting for?? I'm jealous of all your tomatoes! Frankie G's only given me one eensy weensy one so far!

Chandeen @ Designed by Chance said...

Oh yum, I've got to try this! Guacamole too!

Cat@BudgetBlonde.com said...

That's the cutest pic of you with the tomatoe!!!! Haha so glad they finally turned red!!
xoxo
Cat@BudgetBlonde

Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life said...

I need to try this asap! I love hot salsa. The hotter, the better!

Sam {fitnessfoodandfaith.blogs said...

oh my yum. great recipe!!

justabouthome said...

We make fresh salsa weekly at my house! For a little more heat I like to use serrano peppers. Mmmmmm.

Ashley @AlmostVegGirlie said...

Yum, I love salsa! I have made my own strawberry salsa before which was amazing! My favorite kind is anything with fruit or the good old poco de gallo.

Faith said...

So exciting that your homegrown tomatoes are ripe...waiting is the hardest part, right? ;) The salsa looks perfect!

Cait's Plate said...

That looks perfect! I definitely want to try this.

I really like any kind of salsa - as long as there's a chip to dip it in ;)

Anastasia said...

Yum! My husband is a salsa addict and I am totally making this for him. Thanks!

Parita @ myinnershakti said...

YUM! I love me some good homemade salsa! And your so cute...share some more pics of YOU!

Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun said...

I love GOOD salsa. Some salsas are just so meh and super runny. I like it hearty. Yours looks perfect!

Sara @ Nourish and Flourish said...

NO salsa beats homemade salsa!! I took a cooking class while I was living abroad in Mexico during college, and we made fresh salsa every day. I seriously could have eaten BOWLS of that stuff. Thanks for reminding me that even though there are tons of pre-made salsas for sale in the grocery store, taking the time to make it yourself is totally worth the extra effort.

I love adding fruit to salsa--mango, pineapple, strawberry, peach...mmm!

bananas. said...

oh lady i like my salsa habanero hot so add a few ghost peppers and then we'll talk ;)

ps. congrats on the new cam!

Christine (The Raw Project) said...

Om my, the salsa sounds just perfect! Thank goodness I just planted more tomatoes! :-)

Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table said...

I love when salsa is served warmed. It really brings out the flavors for me!

For cold salsa, I like it hot, tomato-based, with chunks of PEACHES.

Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, an said...

I love just regular fresh salsa! Nothing beats the fresh tomato taste!

P.S. Your new pic on here is super cute! :-D

Jessie said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE fresh salsa! I can't wait for our romas to grow!! (and our jalapenos, onions and garlic) My mouth is watering already! Thanks for the yummy pics and recipe:)

Katy said...

I've never liked salsa. I'm weird, I know...

Andrea @ Vegvacious said...

I have tomatoes and jalapenos just starting on my plants -- I am SO excited for homemade salsa!!!

Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit said...

I'm a traditional salsa girl, in fact I just made some tonight for dinner!

Lauren @ What Lauren Likes said...

I love salsa. I go to Cosco and buy the biggest freaking jug and finish it in like a week. Your recipe will defs save me some money :) love it!!

Sunny &amp; Star said...

Thanks for sharing! I LOVE salsa.

Cait @ Beyond Bananas said...

That does look super easy! I think salsa is an awesome summer dish!!

Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said...

Mmmmmm...we always have a Mexican night on vacation, and we have nachos JUST like these. I might have to make this salsa to go along with them :-)

Megan said...

YUM!! Anything Mexican related is the key to my heart! : )

Tessa @ Amazing Asset said...

This recipe for salsa looks wonderful! I don't like things too spicy, so I bet this one would be ideal for me
I like mango and pineapple salsas a whole lot. The sweet flavor adds a nice subtle touch

jane @ The Borrowed Abode said...

Oh yay, I'm not the only one who likes to make fresh salsa! I like it a little differently, though - I prefer fresh raw tomato flavor to roasted. So I just toss'em in the blender with some peppers and stuff.
Hmm...I think I feel a WIAW coming on. :)
Did you get your hair cut?

Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn said...

I may have missed this in the shuffle, but do you live in New England? I grew up in New Hampshire and we used "wicked" as an adjective for EVERYTHING. Hahahah I miss it so much!!! I can't wait to make this salsa I hate buying store bought all the timeeee

Marie@PoutyPinkPrincess said...

I'm making this! I'm a salsa freak! Also, if you happen to have On the Border's queso recipe...bring it on! haha!

Kris @ everywhereorange.com said...

This looks fantastic!!! i am so hungry right now :) i have many green tomatoes in my garden this is the first thing i am making with them. after i eat one right off the vine of course :)

Momnivoresdilemma said...

Thanks for linking up, Jenn.  I'll be back in full force at WIAW next week.  We've been going rogue with meal plans and such... Your salsa looks amazing...can't wait til my tomatoes come in!

Heather @ REOlisticRenovation said...

There is nothing like homemade salsa!  Love it!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Thanks for the recipe!!! I have a ton of Romas growing right now, and was hoping to make some salsa this summer. Thanks for sharing!!

Leah said...

I love *all* salsa, especially when it's made with tomatoes from the garden. Sadly, I think we have another month before they're ripe here...

Erika said...

Ooh yummy, I might have to try this!  So glad I found your blog and I am now your newest follower! Oh, and I'm also a fellow military wife...HOLLA! :)

kris said...

i finally got enough tomatoes to make this and the tomatoes are in the oven right now!!!!

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

Yessss! Hope you love it!!! <3 You'll have to give me your expert opinion
when you try it! =) hehe

Kris said...

OMG it was amazing!!!! i did lime juice instead of vinegar. hubby and i ate the whole bowl with dinner :)  I am making more tomorrow.  I am singing your praises for this salsa on my blog tomorrow.  hubs goes away in a few weeks for work and i am looking forward to it so i can eat the salsa and not share :)  it seriously tasted like authentic mexican restaurant salsa.  you rock!!

Gail@SophisticatedSteps said...

I love salsa. Love!!! I'm practically Mexican.
I have not, however, ever heard of roasting the tomatoes first.

I learn something new everyday. :)

P.S. I've discovered if I leave a comment from my iPad, it doesn't give me the same posting options for my comment. Weird.

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

HMM... its posessed? lol. my mom cant comment from her ipad or iphone i think. she's always whining. she needs to just give me her ipad and then get a laptop. just saying [whines] =)

Noelle said...

i'm totally late, but i'm making this!! I had already made salsa from scratch, but roasting the tomatoes must take it to a new level!!! Yum!!

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

Thanks Noelle! It turns it into an entirely different salsa! =) Hope you fall in love with it like I did!