Until I started making homemade salsa, I never enjoyed raw tomatoes. I found the flavour dull, and the texture unpleasant. I could never understand people who could eat a whole cherry tomato at once. However, since trying this spicy tomato salsa, I’m a complete convert. I never knew tomatoes could taste so good! I’ve come to realise that most of the foods I disliked in the past simply suffered from lack of flavour, something this salsa doesn’t suffer from. Just by adding a few simple ingredients and seasoning, the humble tomato transforms into one of my favourite things to eat!
This salsa is so refreshing and light. It’s the perfect dip for crunchy tortilla chips as a Mexican side or starter. Or you could spread it onto some toasted bread as a bruschetta type topping. The flavours are summery and fresh, and seem to blend perfectly. With summer coming up, a light, tangy side is just what you need to spice up your dishes.
I’ve used a food processor for this recipe, just because it makes short work of chopping the ingredients, but you can easily slice them by hand if you have time or you don’t have a food processor. However, if using a food processor, the trick is making sure the tomatoes aren’t mushy. I do this by adding the other ingredients first and pulsing until they are finely chopped, and then after that, adding the tomatoes, and carefully pulsing just a little bit, so they get chopped, but not liquified. I find this gives the salsa the perfect texture. If you want help as to how it should look, check out the method in pictures below.
I love a kick of chilli, so I added some in this recipe. If you aren’t a fan, you can use less, or leave it out completely if you want. A mild salsa is delicious too, and the flavours are tasty with or without.
If you want to give it a go, check out the recipe below. It couldn’t be easier, and just like with my guacamole recipe, you’ll never want to buy salsa from a shop again!
Homemade Spicy Tomato Salsa
Ingredients
- 3 vine tomatoes (halved)
- 10 cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 30 g jarred jalapeños
- ½ onion (red or white)
- 1 small chilli
- ½ lime
- 1 garlic clove
- handful fresh coriander
- 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients except the tomatoes into a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
- Add the tomatoes and carefully pulse a few times until the tomatoes are chopped and combined. Be careful not to liquefy them. (Alternatively, finely chop all the ingredients including the tomatoes and mix in a bowl)
- Scoop into a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Serve with a garnish of fresh coriander and some tortilla chips.
Method in Pictures
Put all the ingredients, except the tomatoes in a food processor
Pulse until finely chopped
Now add the tomatoes, and pulse a few times until chopped, but not liquified
Take care not to blend the tomatoes too much
Season with salt and pepper and serve with tortilla chips
Homemade Spicy Tomato Salsa goes great with…
