Salsa Fresca (Fresh Summer Salsa)

This is a delicious and refreshing way to use up some of those tomatoes you probably have starting to get ripe in your garden.

2 very large tomatoes

4 or 5 green onions

1 Tbsp of Anaheim green chili OR 2 dashes cayenne pepper (use gloves when handling hot peppers)

2-4 Tbsp fresh cilantro (more or less—you know me, I go with less.)

1/4 to 1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp minced garlic (like the kind in a jar) or 1 clove fresh garlic, minced

salt (to taste)

Finely chop the tomatoes, onions, chili and cilantro. Stir in the garlic and cumin. Season to taste with about one teaspoon of salt. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips or use as a condiment for tacos, taquitos or Amy’s Chicken Mexican Casserole. :)

*For a winter substitute, replace the tomatoes with whole canned tomatoes (whirled in a blender or food processor), the green onion with white onion and the chili with a small can of Ortega canned chiles. Puree equal amounts of tomato and chiles and add chopped onion and other spices to taste. This can be bottled for a longer shelf life if desired.

3 Great Dressings

In an attempt to make more things from scratch, I've been experimenting with some salad dressing recipes.  These three from Real Simple magazine are currently on rotation at my house.  Each keeps for about a week in the refrigerator.

Creamy Parmesan Dressing

1/2 c. olive oil
1/2 c. grated Parmesan
1/4 c. sour cream
2 Tbl. white wine vinegar (I just used regular white vinegar)
kosher salt and black pepper

In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, Parmesan, sour cream, vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper.



Balsamic-Dijon Vinaigrette

1/3 c. olive oil
3 Tbl. balsamic vinegar
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
kosher salt and black pepper

In a small bowl or jar, whisk or shake together the oil, vinegar, mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.



Lemon and Shallot Vinaigrette

1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. honey
1 shallot, finely chopped
kosher salt and black pepper

In a small bowl or jar, whisk or shake together the oil, lemon juice, honey, shallot, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.