Villa Villa Salsa Salsa

I have a belief that every pregnant woman should get to eat what she wants. I mean, food is a crazy thing when your pregnant, right?? First, I have these maddening cravings. Then I can't eat or smell ANY food for weeks (in other words, we eat out where I want). THEN when I can eat, my stomach is being squished to the size of a pea, so I hardly get to eat at all. Which is so unsatisfying. Here is the only time I can eat, guilt free, but my body only allows me to down one taco before I'm so full its coming back up. sad.

Anyway, the story is. I was pregnant with Jack. (see below a blue eyed boy) just graduated from College. My husband was on his last semester of is undergrad. and he forced me to try this hole in the wall mexican place. his buddies had recommended it- Pre-Yelp Days.

This resturant is where my obsession to tacos began. It is where I had my first street taco- ever. 24 and never had a taco.

2 tiny corn tortillas.
carne asada.
onion+cilantro.
change my world

I wanted to die. Where had these been all my life? And their SALSA. not to spicy (for my pregnant heart burn raging stomach)
everything was dirt cheap- as were we. So we went there often. it can safely be said I was more than addicted to Villa Villas tacos and salsa. bless them.

On our last taco run, Nate asked the ladies how they make their salsa. Its so easy, I couldn't believe it. Really? that's it!

whole canned tomatoes. *** buy the best quality canned tomatoes. since the salsa will be 90% of this ingredient make sure its top notch. quite often I buy the organic canned, and I swear it DOES make a difference***
cilantro
onion
garlic.
lime juice.
salt/pepper
(I like to add a few fresh tomatoes too)
Jalapeno (optional)
(measurements below)

SO- to start. In your little food processor (or food chopper, maybe your blender?) add cilantro, 1/2 an onion, garlic, and jalapeno.
pulse till minced.
next pulse can of whole tomatoes.
add lime juice, salt, diced fresh tomatoes,

NOW. This is important. 
at this point the salsa will taste a little like Tomatoes. Canned tomatoes. it needs to sit and marry.
I really like that phrase. "let the flavors marry" don't I sound all smartypants?

If you can, store in an air tight container for a few hours to overnight in the fridge.
 (air tight unless you want a very fragrant fridge the next time you open it...)

If you onlyhaveanhourbefore your guest arrive!! then leave the salsa at room temperature and stir it often. very often.

Seriously. we all LOOOOVE this stuff. my daughter was trying to help me take pictures....not to much help.

Then these nerds came along...

even the baby. its like they are desperate. never been fed before.

Salsa

yeilds: about 5-6 cups

Ingredients

1 large can of whole tomatoes (best quality)

1/2 of a small onion

2 roma tomatoes

bunch of cilantro

2 cloves of garlic

1 jalapeno

juice of one lime

1+ tsp salt

fresh groung pepper to taste

Directions

In a food processor {or some kind of chopper} place onion, cilantro, garlic, and seeded jalapeno.

Chop until very small but not mushed.

place in a container that can be sealed "tupperware"

Now, in food processor place can of whole tomatoes.

pluse till slightly chuncky.

add to onions and cilantro

Dice roma tomatoes.

Add to onions and whole tomatoes.

Add salt, lime and pepper.

Stir, and taste test with salt.

!! at this point the salsa will taste a little more like canned tomatoes than a salsa. The Flavors need to sit and marry together. Allow salsa to sit, in fridge for a few hours, even over night in an air tight container. IF you are serving salsa in half an hour- 1 hour then leave the salsa at room temperature, stirring every 5-10 minutes till serving time.

ok. So other dips, sauces and salsas?? 

Sweet Salsa

 Seasoned Cilantro Black Beans

Homemade Tortilla Chips

Black Bean Cilantro Dip

Bob's Guacamole

Homemade Chipotle Salsa

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