My Favorite Salsa

There are lots of different opinions when it comes to salsa. As for me, I love fresh salsa's taste and texture so much more than stuff from a jar.

When I planned my garden back in February, I planned on growing everything I needed to make my fresh salsa except garlic. Garlic just doesn't do well in my zone. So here I find myself craving salsa like a crazy woman in April. The only ingredients from my garden that are ready are my jalapeños and cilantro.
So, I am relying on my local produce department for the rest until I have everything ready.

I did a salsa post last year, but I realized on looking back at it that if you were just scanning for a recipe, you'd probably get the wrong one. You see, I gave the two other recipes that inspired my version. So I hope to clear the air now. I've also tweaked my recipe just a tad, and now I can proclaim that it's, "the best salsa in the history of the world... Ever!" lol Inside joke. Sorry!

My Favorite Salsa

3 large, ripe tomatoes, quartered

1 fresh jalapeño (seeded and deveined)

juice of 1 lime or 5 key limes

1/2 cup cilantro or more to taste

5 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 of a medium red onion, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon cumin

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 10 oz. can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chiles)

Combine all ingredients in food processor and pulse 10-15 times. Let sit 1 hour and then dive in!

NOTE: I've found through experimentation that if I put my fresh ingredients in the bottom of my food processor and then pour in the canned tomatoes last, I get a better texture for the end result. Just don't over process.

now that you've made the salsa, reserve 1/4 cup of it and make some Love Dip. You're sure to love it as well.

Happy dipping!
Keep lovin', and keep cookin'.

Mediterranean Olive and Feta Hummus

My 1.5 year old is totally into dips these days. And why not? Dipping is fun! You can even use your fingers and paint a bit with your dip! He loves my Green Dip, and he's a big fan of cream gravy, guacamole, and ranch dressing.

I am trying to keep his dip choices in the healthier and more nutritious categories. One that he really loves, as does the rest of my gang, is hummus. I love seeing all of the flavor varieties at the store, but let's face it. They're pretty expensive for the amount you get, and most are full of preservatives to give them a longer shelf life. The solution, make your own at home! It's SOOOO easy and so much better than what you can buy at the deli.

The basic ingredients are easy to come by: chick peas (AKA garbanzo beans), garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. The flavor additions are limited only by your imagination. My self-made guideline is per one 15 ounce can of chick peas, add 1/2 cup of flavoring ingredient if it's potent or up to 1 cup if it's a milder flavor. I just love the marinated feta and Mediterranean olives that I can get at my local grocery store's olive bar, so I thought I'd try this combination. Warning: the first bite might knock your socks off, but then you'll have to make yourself stop!

Mediterranean Olive and Feta Hummus

1 can garbanzo beans, drain and reserve liquid
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup marinated Greek olives with feta cubes
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Pulse adding up to 1/4 cup reserved bean liquid to thin to desired consistency.

Taste and add salt if needed.

Cover and store in refrigerator for up to 5 days.

If you're familiar with hummus recipes, you might notice the lack of tahini. It's not something that I keep on hand, and I don't miss it at all. But if you feel it's a must, add about 1/4 cup to the above recipe.

I also love to make roasted red pepper hummus. I just substitute jarred roasted red bell peppers for the olives and cheese. Toasted pine nuts and fresh basil are another nice combination. Or you could be daring and eat it plain! It's still great!

I like to eat my hummus with pita chips, but anything will do. My little guy prefers baby cheese doodles and fingers!

Nutritious dips are a great way to get kids to eat better. Serve them up with raw veggies or baked pita chips. Just don't tell them that something so yummy is actually good for them.

It'll be our little secret.

Keep lovin' and keep cookin'.