In Texas we would call that first one Pico de Gallo. OK … I just read the line where you said “pico-style.” The tomatillo looks. I roast mine under the broiler. Gets it nice and soft and it tastes great!

My pico always includes cilantro, lime juice, and a little bit of (mild) olive oil. A pinch of cumin and/or cayenne is nice, too.

My Hubby makes excellent Salsa that’s the hit of the super bowl party every year. He uses a combo of chilies like jalapenos and sorranos. I know it sounds strange but he also puts in cucumbers and black olives – very yummy. You might want to try some Roma Tomatoes as well as they are very firm and meaty

Great blog! I love the pictures you provide for each step, adds something special to your recipes. I’ll try this salsa tomorrow too!

No problem Nick. Will email Salsa recipe to you this weekend.

Suggestions (refined by trial-and-error, and based on several recipes I can’t take credit for):

1. Soak the onions in lime juice at least while you are preparing the peppers; longer (several hours to overnight) if you’re not in a rush. Add cilantro and the peppers to that, soak some more, then add everything else.

2. Although at least one recipe calls for roasting, peeling, and seeding the peppers, usually I just cut the tops off and chop ‘em up in the food processor; the seeds make it hotter, so you can take out some or all or none, according to taste. Leaving the skins on makes it seem fresher and crunchier, if you like that kind of thing.

3. Use serrano peppers instead of, or in addition to, the jalapenos.

4. To make fresh habaneros easier to handle and measure into the recipe, I cut them, rinse out some seeds, and put them in a blender with some tomato juice, V8 juice, vinegar. or the juice from canned tomatoes (see below). Then you can add that mixture a little at a time at the end, and not overshoot your target (not everyone I make salsa for can handle the max habanero effect). Disposable vinyl gloves are handy, or wash your hands frequently while dealing with the habaneros.

5. My latest trick is to add canned chipotles, chopped coarsely in the food processor. These shouldn’t be the only peppers in the salsa, but on the other hand, if I don’t have any decent salsa in the house, or time to make it, I open a can, chop them up and use that for chips, etc.

As you can see, sometimes I end up with jalapenos, serranos, habaneros, and chipotles all in the salsa. Sometimes I even mix in canned fire-roasted tomatoes with fresh tomatoes. No matter the variation, making it yourself beats almost anything I can get in New England!

Hope that helps,

S. H.

‘Tis a good thing that I grow my own Jalaps so I can make my own Dutchmade salsa here. Holland needs some more heat!

can you help me find a recipe for cowboy candy—made with jalapeno peppers . I rec’d a jar of these from a friend who was visiting in Texas . Looks like the ingredients are peppers. sigar, tumeric, mustard seed(maybe). The only thing listed on the jar was “hot mama’s cowboy candy. Thanking you in advance.

A great looking basic recipe.
Here is the one from iShopSouthwest – Southwestern Home Decor and Free Recipes.

I N G R E D I E N T S:
2 pounds tomatoes – peeled and chopped
1 yellow onion — chopped
2 garlic toes — chopped
2 tablespoons oil
4 jalepeno or serrano peppers (or to taste) veined, seeded and chopped**
1/2 cup cilantro — chopped (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

**CAUTION: The oil from pepper skins can burn your eyes or skin. Wear gloves or wash your hands after handling hot peppers.

How to make Salsa
Place garlic, tomatoes and chiles into a blender or food processor and blend to a chunky (not smooth) sauce.
Heat the oil in a heavy frying pan, add the onion and cook until it becomes translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the blended ingredients and cook over high heat until reduced by about half. Remove from heat, add cilantro and salt and pepper to taste. Makes: 2-3 cups

For a New Mexican Salsa replace the jalepeno or serrano chilis with green chilis and cut the cilantro to 1/4 cup.

Hint: Prepare Salsa dip a day ahead and store in the refrigerator. This gives the flavors a chance to “mingle”.

More free recipes at http://www.iShopSouthwest.com.

alice boley on 9/19/2006 at 9:33 am said:

can you help me find a recipe for cowboy candy—made with jalapeno peppers . I rec’d a jar of these from a friend who was visiting in Texas . Looks like the ingredients are peppers. sigar, tumeric, mustard seed(maybe). The only thing listed on the jar was “hot mama’s cowboy candy. Thanking you in advance.

cowboy candy is a fed. trademarked product your asking for the receipt coke.
Sorry but it’s been in my family and our business since the 20′s.
But i will tell you this its a bread and butter jap.