The Best Fresh Tomato Salsa TImes: 20 minutes  (Recipe By:Cheryl Dressler)

Did you know?  Tomatoes and peppers are NEW WORLD CROPS.  They are foods cultivated by the Mayans and Aztecs BEFORE Columbus crossed the ocean in 1492.

INGREDIENTS: 3 cups chopped tomatoes 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper 1 cup onion, diced 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 4 teaspoons chopped fresh jalapeno pepper (including seeds) 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:
1)Wash tomatoes, bell peppers and jalapeno peppers. 2) On a cutting board, chop the tomatoes into small ½ in squares and measure into a cup. Put into a bowl. 3) Next, chop the green peppers into ¼  inch  squares  and to the tomatoes. 4) Chop the jalapeno peppers into very small pieces and add to the rest. 5) Peel the onion and chop into very small pieces. Add to the bowl. 6) Cut the lime in half. Squeeze juice into a small bowl. Measure out and add to tomato mixture. 7) Add ground cumin, salt and black pepper. Mix well. 8) Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

 
Traditional Mexican Guacamole

  • 2 large Hass avocados (black in color,slightly soft to the touch)
  • 1 juice of one lime
  • ½ cup diced onion
  • 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves (chopped finely)
  • ½ cup diced tomato
  • ½ cup diced green bell pepper
  • pinch of salt
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh jalapeno pepper (optional)
DIRECTIONS
  1. Slice avocados in half. Discard the pit. Scoop out of shell with a spoon. Place in bowl.
  2. Roll the lime on the table to soften it.  Then, cut it in half. Squeeze the juice of each half into a large cup so it’s easy to pick out the seeds. Add the lime juice to the avocado immediately to prevent browning. Use a fork and mash to desired consistency.
  3. Add chopped onions, tomato, and cilantro. Stir gently to mix ingredients.
  4. Add salt to taste. Stir just slightly, until incorporated.
  5. Add jalapeño to taste.
  6. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips for a dip, or use with your favorite Mexican dish.
A side note: this is to make a chunky, yet creamy guacamole. Some people prefer to use a food processor with all the ingredients to make for a VERY creamy dip.