I love food. This should come as no surprise since I have a food website, I am a food photographer and I also do nutrition work. It should also not surprise anyone that I love to eat. Ever since I was younger, I have been a grazer. I was never the kid to sit down and clear my plate. Rather I would eat a little while my mother was cooking, eat a little more during the meal and then come back later to finish off whatever I had left; my parents used to call me a “bird”. I wish I could say that I grew out of that habit, but truth is, I haven’t. I still prefer to set out an appetizer while I cook, have a few bites while I enjoy a meal with the family and then come back for a snack after I’ve cleaned up the kitchen. This love of “munching” has driven me to create good snacking options for myself and my family.
Typically I want to make sure whatever I am setting out is- A: healthy and B: won’t fill us up while I’m finishing the main course. This salsa recipe does the trick. It’s easy to whip up in the midst of afternoon madness, healthy and light. Thus keeping my inner child happy while my inner adult stays healthy.
WHY you should give it a try:
Tomatoes
- Tomatoes are most well known for being great for your heart, this fact is true due in large part to lycopene. It is a well known antioxidant that it great for eliminating any cancer causing free radicals in the body.
- Lycopene is also helpful in preventing cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown that a regular consumption of this vegetable can lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
- One tomato provides almost half of the daily recommendation for Vitamin C, which is also an antioxidant.
Cilantro
- Many of the oils present including linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and ascorbic acid are efficient in lowering the levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) in the blood which prevents cardiovascular problems. It also raises the amount of “good” cholesterol (HDL).
- Cineole and linoleic acids both posses antirheumatic and antiarthritic properties by reducing the swelling caused by these conditions.
- Has great detoxifying properties due to the oil found in the leaves.
WHERE to get the goods:
- Many of the ingredients are available year round at your local market.
- Peak season for tomatoes is summertime which is a great chance to check out your local farmers market to see what else they have in store!
HOW to enjoy it:
- This stuff is very versatile! I recommend trying it with your choice of chips. It’s great as a snack with a side of my guacamole to accompany it.
- Put it on top of any favorite Mexican dish, eggs or atop Santa Fe Stuffed Peppers.
I hope the inner snacker in you enjoys this salsa as much as mine does.
Thanks for stopping by!
Em
- 5 red or orange tomatoes (I like a combination of both to add some color), quartered
- 1 jalapeño, sliced lengthwise and deseeded (leave the seeds in for an extra kick)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 white onion, quartered
- 1 handful cilantro, stems removed (optional)
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili
- 1 salt
- Add all ingredients into food processor and pulse 10 times or until desired consistency is reached.
- Pour into bowl, serve with your favorite chips.
- Enjoy!
- You can increase or decrease the heat by changing the amount of jalapeño. For me, 1 jalapeño was enough to reach my desired level of spice.
