It's officially summertime at our house!

Okay....so it's not REALLY summer...but the first signs that warm weather is upon us is the weekly salsa and guacamole making that goes on in our house. I also have discovered an awesome refreshing Mango and Pineapple salsa. I was inspired by the oh so fresh mangoes and pineapples at the farmer's market last week. I'm including that recipe as well.




I have to say....I make a darn good tomato salsa...it's evolved over a couple of years into a recipe that is pretty much fool proof. Shooter even took some to work and his Latino friends all raved about it. They're always amazed to find out I'm not Latina. Not even a little bit.

Here's the fabulous recipe


Laura B's Quick and Easy Salsa

2 boxes of Pomi Chopped Tomatoes
3 medium jalepeno's, diced finely (I usually leave some of the veins but remove the seeds)
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
Juice of two or three limes (make sure you roll them under your palm to release the juice)
Salt to taste (I think I use somewhere in the neighborhood of 1Tbs to 1.5 Tbs)
1 Tbs cumin
Hot pepper sauce to taste (I use Tapatio)

In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients. Transfer to an airtight container and let sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.

I usually go easy on the salt and pepper sauce at first. I let it all sit together and get chilled before I do my final seasoning adjustments. All the flavors need to meld. Ha...I sound all culinarily smart don't I?



Now.....prepare to have your socks knocked off!

Laura B's Mango and Pineapple Salsa

3 ripe mangoes, peeled and chopped

1 pineapple, chopped

1 medium red onion, finely diced

1-2 jalapeno (s), finely diced

one bunch of cilantro, chopped

pinch of salt

juice of 1 lime

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well to combine. Put in an airtight container and store in the fridge for at least 2 hours prior to serving. This works on everything from steak tacos to seared tuna. Enjoy!

Also, this little contraption has made my life complete. I sleep with it under my pillow. We're in love and running away to Cancun next week so I can have unlimited margaritas. Okay...okay....it's not like that.....but it's one of the best darn kitchen gadgets I've ever purchased. Everyone should have one! I actually have the lemon juicer (hence the yellow color) however it works perfectly well with limes, lemons and key limes. It'll work on tangerines and small oranges but you'll need the orange juicer for navel oranges and bigger citrus. This thing literally turns the fruit inside out and extracts every little bit of juice from the lemon/lime. You just roll the lemon/lime a bit on the counter under your palm, slice it in half and then juice away with the cut side down toward the holes. It's amazing. You should try it out. There all over the place, at Amazon, Sur la Table, and Target.





Oh, and if you've never used the Pomi tomatoes...you're so missing out. My Mom introduced me to these babies and they're my secret weapon when it comes to making salsa, chili and spaghetti sauce. Beg your grocer to start carrying their stuff if they don't already. If you don't have access to Pomi tomatoes, use a good quality diced tomato. Each box of Pomi has 26 oz of chopped tomatoes. They also make a really good strained tomato product too....please don't get the two confused for the salsa recipe...it'll lead to disaster....I know....from experience.....

Well, I hope this has inspired you to make you own fabulous salsa and kick those jarred salsas to the curb. If you try it out, do let me know how you like it.