011: pineapple salsa

here is another salsa recipe for you, just in time for... i dunno what. spring parties, easter gatherings, baseball season openers, or just yummy eating. a sweeter version than your typical spicy salsa, this recipe is fantastic as a dip or filling. prep time was about 30 minutes, and sit time is at least 2 hours.




equipment:
cutting board
knife
gloves
medium bowl
measuring cups and spoons


ingredients:
1 and 1/2 c. cubed pineapple
1 jalapeño, seeded and cubed
1/2 c. red pepper, cubed
1/2 c. red onion, cubed
2-3 t. cilantro
2 t. lemon juice


steps:
1.) cube pineapple, jalapeño, pepper, and onion. if you've never cut a pineapple before, here are my suggestions for doing so. if you've never worked with jalapeños before, i have some tips for that, as well.

2.) combine all ingredients into a medium bowl and mix together.

3.) for best results, let it sit for at least 2 hours. serve.


time: 30 min prep time, 2 hour sit time
difficulty: 2 (1 being easiest, 5 being hardest)
rating: ♦♦♦1/2◊◊ (3.5 stars out of 5)
suggestions for serving: mess around with your pepper choices for different flavors.


enjoy!
-kl

005: fresh salsa

this is an incredibly easy fresh tomato salsa recipe. you can use it as a chip dip, on tacos, on sandwiches, or on whatever else you usually use salsa. prep time is about 30 minutes, and you can begin using it immediately, though it is best if you let it sit for a few hours or overnight (yield = about 3 cups).



equipment:
paring knife
bowl (size: approx 1 qt.)
cutting board
measuring spoons


ingredients:
1 jalapeño pepper
2 tomatoes
1/2 c. diced red peppers
1/2 c. diced red onion
1/2 c. corn
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 t. to 1 t. cilantro
1 and 1/2 t. lemon juice


steps:
1.) dice jalapeños (NOTE: if you have never worked with jalapeños before, check out my tips for handling them) tomatoes, red pepper, and red onion. add all of these and the corn to a 1 qt. or larger bowl.

2.) add minced garlic, cilantro (to taste--the more you add, the spicier your salsa will be), and lemon juice.

3.) mix it all together. you can serve it immediately, but the flavors will blend best if left for a few hours or overnight.


time: 30 minutes
difficulty: 1 (1 being easiest, 5 being hardest)
rating: ♦♦♦♦◊ (4 stars out of 5)
suggestions for variations: use more jalapeños for spicier salsa. try adding (or subbing) other (like seasonal?) ingredients, like mangoes, pineapple or peach for a sweeter salsa.

enjoy!
-kl