[Celia]

I make this salsa every year from our fresh garden tomatoes. I'm looking forward to trying it again this year with the heirloom tomatoes I plan on adding to my garden

4 large tomatoes chopped
2 medium onions chopped
1/2 green pepper chopped
5 jalapeno peppers (remove core and seeds)
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro

Combine all of the ingredients and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Keep refrigerated.
(Use fewer jalapenos for a less spicy version)

[Richard Leader]

Sounds good - but can you explain what you mean by 'tomato sauce'?

My basic recipe is:
10-20 cherry tomatoes roughly chopped
1 red chilli finely chopped (more or less to taste)
2 spring onions sliced or 1/2 red onion finely sliced
Handful coriander (cilantro) leaves roughly chopped
1/2 red pepper finely diced
Juice of 1 lime

I love the spritz that the lime juice gives. I serve this with a few things, but in particular my coriander burgers (made with coriander seed).

[Celia]

Hi Richard,

I was referring to the canned tomato sauce made by companies like Hunts. (The label on the can says the ingredients are: tomato puree (water, tomato paste), water, salt, spices).

I'm sure you can just substitute your own homemade sauce. I've done that by pureeing tomatoes in my blender or food processor and adding some spices.

Adding lime juice is a wonderful idea--I love limes. How do you make your coriander burgers? Do you just add coriander seed to a basic hamburger recipe, or do you have a few secret ingredients?

[Richard Leader]

The coriander burgers are quite simple - just hand-chopped steak, fried onions, a little breadcrumb, egg to bind then rolled in crushed (not powdered) coriander and grilled on the barbie. Cheeky link - the full recipe is on my site: http://superfood.blog-city.com/coriander_burgers_with_tomato_salsa.htm

(I hope it's not against the rules to post this link!)

[Deni]

Celia, next time you make salsa you may want to try roasting the vegetables on either a BBQ, grill or your broiler until they are mostly blackened, then chop & mash them with the back of a sturdy glass. You will find the flavor profile greatly improved and perhaps no need for added tomato sauce as the roasting provides a saucy side.
_________________
Aloha nui,

Deni

Lost no more but still in paradise...

[Celia]

Thank you, Richard. I'll take a look at that link!

Deni, that sounds just incredible! I'll have to try it. It sounds much tastier than my tomato sauce!

[Richard Leader]

I like the idea of roasted vegetable salsa... I can imagine those smokey sweet flavours of roasted peppers, chillies and tomatoes really working - I've never thought of using them in a salsa like this.

[Deni]

Richard... don't forget to roast the onions also...
_________________
Aloha nui,

Deni

Lost no more but still in paradise...