Salsa

Salsa.  You pay over $4.00 a jar.  STOP!  You can make it way cheaper at home and it takes 10 minutes or less.  Plus, you can customize it a million different ways by adding different or extra ingredients like hot peppers, black beans, avocados, mangoes, pineapples, herbs etc.  Here is my basic recipe that I use and then expand upon when I want to switch things up.

Ingredients

1 can diced tomatoes

1 jalapeno pepper

4 cloves garlic

a handful of cilantro (when I have it, it is still good without)

salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

cayenne pepper to taste
Optional: Avocado, beans, corn, fruit

1. Roast garlic (skin on) and jalapeno in a pan until sides are browning.

2. Place garlic and jalapeno in a brown bag for about 5 minutes, then remove and peel garlic.
3. Give the jalapeno and garlic a rough chop. Remove the jalapeno seeds if you like less heat.

4. Place jalapeno, garlic and about 1/4 of the can of diced tomatoes into a blender or food processor.  Pulse until smooth.  Add the remaining tomatoes, chopped cilantro and pulse until all pureed.
5. Stir in chili powder and cayenne and transfer to a serving dish.

Plain Salsa with chips

Salsa with avocado added

Salsa on quesadillas, yum!