As we hit Memorial Day weekend, what better to have for your barbeque or pool party than some fresh, homemade salsa? This recipe comes from my lovely wife, and truthfully is a modified version of her dad's recipe. We're both huge cilantro fans, and it really adds a refreshing note to this. Plus the combination of jalapenos and red pepper flakes will cause the salsa to get a bit hotter with time, and it's a good idea to make this a day in advance and store it in the fridge.
Ingredients:
1 28-oz can peeled whole tomatoes
1/3-to-1/2 of a 12-oz jar of pickled jalapenos (with liquor)
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4-to-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
t tbsp olive oil
1 tsp parsley (can be fresh or dried)
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, in all (stems included)
Instructions:
1. Drain the juice from the can of tomatoes into a blender, then add the remaining ingredients. Blend well.
2. Add the whole tomatoes, and pulse to your desired consistency.
SPECIAL BONUS RECIPE: Shredded Chicken Tacos
On a suggestion from a friend, we decided to try this idea via our crockpot. Perfect "set it in the morning and its ready when you come home" type of meal.
Ingredients:
3-4 frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can black beans
1 cup prepared salsa
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro leaves
1 package taco seasoning
Hard or soft taco shells and fixin's
Instructions:
Truthfully, this one didn't come out quite as well as I would hope, but I chalk that up to my own mistake, namely leaving it cooking for a bit too long and putting too much extra liquid. As those breasts thaw they'll produce plenty on their own.
Line the bottom of a crock pot with the chicken. In a bowl, mix together the black beans, salsa and taco seasonings, then poor over the chicken. Set it for about 8 hours on low. When done, remove the chicken breasts from the mixture, shred, and return.
Way too much liquid here, and the results came out a bit soup-y. Though still very good.
Then its build your own taco time! I used some fresh cilantro and diced jalapenos (also fresh) as a topping alongside the chicken/salsa/bean mixture, which I drained, obviously. Delightful. My wife used cheese and sour cream, below.
