Fabulous Friday Food - My Sister Jodi's Homemade Salsa
/
You thought I forgot about it, didn't you? You thought I forgot that two weeks ago I promised you my sister Jodi's homemade salsa recipe. Didn't you?
But, ah ha!, the joke's on you because I didn't forgot. And just in time for your big Superbowl party, too.
But first, I have to tell you a little story. (I know, you're surprised that I would have a story.) See, there's a restaurant here called J. Alexander's. Maybe you have a J. Alexander's where you live too. It's always been one of my favorite places because they have THE BEST salsa in the world.
It's not like I'm a salsa freak or a salsa connoisseur or a salsa junkie. I mean, I like salsa. Salsa's O.K. with me. But that J. Alexander's salsa . . . oh my! There is something different about it.
So one time when I was in there guzzling salsa like a crazy woman, I took a break from licking the bowl to ask my server if there was any way the chef would share their recipe with me. (I happen to know that sometimes when you ask for a recipe in a restaurant, the chef is more than happy to share.) But no. Not this time. J. Alexander's would not share their salsa recipe with me for any amount of money. (Don't put it past me!)
I went home disappointed.
I'd like to tell you I never returned, but that would not be the truth because every once in a while I just get a craving, a notion, a hankering if you will, for J. Alexander's salsa. And I return. Tail between my legs. (Figuratively speaking.)
I tell you all this because once I tasted my sister Jodi's homemade salsa I was transported back to J. Alexander's. And my tastebuds tingled and I got so excited that I may have just jumped up and down a few times.
It may not be an exact match (only the chef at J. Alexander's can tell), but it's pretty close. It's got that fresh taste that I loved the first time I tried it. And the cilantro. Mmmmm.
So I just made a batch . . . or two . . . and I'm pretty much set for Sunday. Pretty much all you need to serve is this salsa and a few chips and your guests will be very happy campers.
Alright, maybe a couple more options. But the salsa is key.
Now, Jodi tells me that she got this recipe from her Texan mother-in-law, so if it's good enough for a true Texan, it's good enough for me. Oh, and the measurements are kind of loosey-goosey. You'll have to experiment to see how you like it. Everything's negotiable here.
So here we go. Collect your ingredients: 1 can of Hunt's (yes, it must be Hunt's) stewed tomatoes, 1 can Hunt's (yes, it must be Hunt's) diced tomatoes with sweet onion, 1 or 2 jalapeno peppers (depending on taste), 1 clove garlic, cilantro, cumin, lime, and salt.
Pulse a few times.
Click here to print or view the recipe for My Sister Jodi's Homemade Salsa.
So tell me, what are you doing for the Superbowl?
But, ah ha!, the joke's on you because I didn't forgot. And just in time for your big Superbowl party, too.
But first, I have to tell you a little story. (I know, you're surprised that I would have a story.) See, there's a restaurant here called J. Alexander's. Maybe you have a J. Alexander's where you live too. It's always been one of my favorite places because they have THE BEST salsa in the world.
It's not like I'm a salsa freak or a salsa connoisseur or a salsa junkie. I mean, I like salsa. Salsa's O.K. with me. But that J. Alexander's salsa . . . oh my! There is something different about it.
So one time when I was in there guzzling salsa like a crazy woman, I took a break from licking the bowl to ask my server if there was any way the chef would share their recipe with me. (I happen to know that sometimes when you ask for a recipe in a restaurant, the chef is more than happy to share.) But no. Not this time. J. Alexander's would not share their salsa recipe with me for any amount of money. (Don't put it past me!)
I went home disappointed.
I'd like to tell you I never returned, but that would not be the truth because every once in a while I just get a craving, a notion, a hankering if you will, for J. Alexander's salsa. And I return. Tail between my legs. (Figuratively speaking.)
I tell you all this because once I tasted my sister Jodi's homemade salsa I was transported back to J. Alexander's. And my tastebuds tingled and I got so excited that I may have just jumped up and down a few times.
It may not be an exact match (only the chef at J. Alexander's can tell), but it's pretty close. It's got that fresh taste that I loved the first time I tried it. And the cilantro. Mmmmm.
So I just made a batch . . . or two . . . and I'm pretty much set for Sunday. Pretty much all you need to serve is this salsa and a few chips and your guests will be very happy campers.
Alright, maybe a couple more options. But the salsa is key.
Now, Jodi tells me that she got this recipe from her Texan mother-in-law, so if it's good enough for a true Texan, it's good enough for me. Oh, and the measurements are kind of loosey-goosey. You'll have to experiment to see how you like it. Everything's negotiable here.
So here we go. Collect your ingredients: 1 can of Hunt's (yes, it must be Hunt's) stewed tomatoes, 1 can Hunt's (yes, it must be Hunt's) diced tomatoes with sweet onion, 1 or 2 jalapeno peppers (depending on taste), 1 clove garlic, cilantro, cumin, lime, and salt.
Put the garlic clove in the food processor.
Clean the ribs and seeds from your jalapeno peppers. Unless you like it stinkin' hot. Then go ahead and leave them in. Me? I'm a de-seeder.
Toss those into your food processor along with the garlic clove.
Pulse a few times.Take some cilantro (be sure to wash it--cilantro can be gritty and nobody likes gritty) and give it a rough chop.
Put everything else into the food processor, including just a pinch of salt.
Give it 3 or 4 quick pulses and voila!
The best homemade salsa I've ever had. Serve it up with some chips and munch away!
Click here to print or view the recipe for My Sister Jodi's Homemade Salsa.
So tell me, what are you doing for the Superbowl?
