Recipe: Garden Fresh Salsa

Sure, you can buy a jar of salsa at the grocery store. But it won’t taste nearly as fresh and flavorful as salsa you make yourself. Here’s an easy-to-make, easy-to-love, mildly spicy salsa to enjoy with chips, tacos, quesadillas and other Mexican dishes. (Add the jalapeno to give it a little bite.)

Ingredients:

4 large tomatoes

1 small onion, finely chopped

¼ cup bell pepper, chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (optional)

¼ cup fresh parsley, minced

½ cup fresh cilantro, minced

1 tablespoon white vinegar

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon cumin

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper and garlic.
2. If using jalapeno, wear kitchen gloves to chop it and be careful not to rub your eyes. Add it to the tomato mixture, along with parsley and cilantro.
3. Toss with vinegar and mix in the salt, pepper, and cumin.
4. Chill until ready to serve. The salsa will keep in the fridge for three to five days.

Serves 6.

Per serving: 29 calories; 7 g carbohydrate; 1 g protein; 0 mg cholesterol; 188 mg sodium; trace amounts of fat.

You can cook food you love while sticking to your healthy eating goals. Check out these recipes to get started.