Salsa - So Fresh Tasting No One Will Know It's Made with Canned Tomatoes - And a Giveaway

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Salsa made with canned tomatoes? Yes! For a taste of summer any time of year, whip up a batch of salsa made with canned tomatoes. I know, I know--I'm all about fresh; but tomato season is not quite here, and I refuse to buy out-of-season imports or any of the pallid objects that pass for tomatoes in most supermarkets. I've found that really good canned tomatoes (I always use Muir Glen organic) make better salsa than the less-than-stellar fresh tomatoes available.

Granted, it's not the salsa fresca we can enjoy during tomato season, but it's much fresher tasting than any of the store-bought salsas I've tried. In fact ... This is how fresh tasting it is. We had guests for dinner--guests who are really into food and into salsa--and they were crazy about it! AND (yes, I'm shouting) they did not know the tomatoes were canned! And I didn't tell them, thought I'd save that little gem for another time. 

There was just a tiny bit left over, and when I tasted it two days later, I was blown away! How can something taste so fresh after nearly 48 hours in the fridge?! Since it was early in the morning when I did my two-day taste test, I just went ahead and made organic tortilla chips and salsa, with a side of leftover Mexican rice, my breakfast. It was that tasty! 

But I wouldn't try this with just any canned tomatoes. At the risk of sounding like a shill for Muir Glen, I would only make this with Muir Glen tomatoes. Truly, I am not on their payroll; they simply make the best canned tomatoes. 

Salsa

(Makes 2 cups)

1/4 cup finely diced onion, rinsed and drained
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 14.5-ounce can Muir Glen organic fire roasted diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 or 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

In 3-cup bowl, combine all ingredients; stir together. Cover and refrigerate for 6 to 24 hours before serving. Garnish with more cilantro.


Muir Glen Organic Giveaway
Two winners will each receive a Muir Glen Organic Reserve Gift Basket. All US residents who leave a comment (one entry per person) on this post before 11:59pm Eastern time Wednesday May 16 will be put into a random drawing. Winners will be announced here before noon Eastern time on Thursday May 17.

Other recipes you might enjoy: Mexican Rice and Homemade Flour Tortillas.