Our Favorite Salsa

Yesterday we had a bit of an emergency... we were out of salsa.  My husband uses it as a condiment, much in the same way that the rest of us use ketchup, so I keep it in the house at all times.  So of course, I had to make more.  :)

But not any salsa recipe will do.  This, my friends, is our favorite salsa, MUCH better than anything you can get in a jar at the store.  It is a fantastic salsa recipe and so easy to make!  It's a variation of the Pioneer Woman's Restaurant Style Salsa, which can be found here:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/01/restaurant-style-salsa/

Valerie's Salsa Variation

Ingredients:
* 1/4 tsp sugar
* 1/4 tsp salt
* 1/4 tsp ground cumin
* 1 lime, juice freshly squeezed
* 1 whole jalapeno pepper, stem removed, quartered and roughly chopped
* 1 whole habanero pepper, stem removed, quartered and roughly chopped
* 1/2 medium onion, roughly chopped
* 1 can (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes, drained
* 2 cans (10 oz) Original Rotel (diced tomatoes with chilis), drained
* 1 bunch cilantro
* 1 clove garlic

Directions:

In an 8 cup (64 oz) sealable container, combine the sugar, salt, and cumin.  Squeeze the lime juice directly into the container and swirl to mix the spices into the lime juice.

In your food processor, combine the two peppers and the onion.  Drain the can of peeled tomatoes and add to the food processor.  Process until the mixture reaches your desired texture.  For me, that's about 3-5 seconds of processing, with a couple pulses afterwards to catch any errant pieces.

Pour the mixture from the food processor into your container with the lime juice/spice mixture.  Mix with a rubber spatula.

Return the food processor to the base.  Chop the tops off the cilantro, roughly chop it, and add to the food processor.  Press the garlic into the food processor as well.  Finally, drain the two cans of Rotel and add to the food processor.  Process just as before, then add to the container.  Mix well with a rubber spatula and refrigerate.

This salsa keeps well in the refrigerator and works fantastically for so many things.  Top your scrambled eggs with some salsa.  Take some with you to Subway or Big Town Hero to use as a condiment on your sandwich.  Of course, make chips and salsa.  It's so versatile!  :)