Restaurant-Style Salsa

And how exactly did we create this incredible, best-ever salsa recipe? Here’s a little backstory. Few years back, Natalie spent some time in Mexico. One particularly fantastic evening, she and some friends splurged and had a private chef prepare them an authentic Mexican dinner. Said dinner featured a fresh salsa that she could not get out of her mind in the days and weeks to come.Fast forward, four years later and we’ve finally (finally) successfully recreated the smokey, sweet, and spicy cravable flavor of the salsa she tasted in Tulum. The years-long length of our struggle is largely due to the fact that produce often tastes different in different places! Different climates, different soil, different produce. But finally, after many tweaks and adjustments, we landed on this (to us) perfect salsa recipe.

Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp canola oil
• 8-10 Roma tomatoes (almost over-ripe)
• 2-3 jalapeños
• 1 white onion, cut in half
• 6 whole garlic cloves
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
• 2-3 tsp sea salt
• 1 ripe avocado

Directions

1. In a large pot, heat oil over high heat. Crowd tomatoes, jalapeños, half of the white onion, and garlic in a single layer in pan. Allow to cook on high without turning until vegetables are charred. Turn over, and repeat on other side.
2. Once completely charred, about 3-5 minutes on each side, reduce heat to low and cover pot with a lid. Allow to simmer with lid on for 15 minutes. Once cooked remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
3. In a food processor, add charred vegetables, starting with only 1 jalapeño at a time, along with crushed tomatoes. Add in cilantro, salt, and the other half of the onion. Blend on low, until desired texture is achieved. If not spicy enough, add more jalapeño one at a time.
4. Add in avocado and pulse until it is mixed in. Adjust salt as needed. Store for up to 1 week refrigerated in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Per ServingAmountCalories 119Protein 3 gCarbohydrates 10 gTotal Fat 8 gDietary Fiber 3 gCholesterol 0 mgsodium 894 mgTotal Sugars 4 g