Get Your Summer Salsa On!

Summer is here and it is time to turn up the heat! One of our favorite summer "snacks" is fresh salsa and we have a recipe that will have your guests (and your belly) beggin' for more. It's easy to make (we're talking 10 minutes), it's all natural with fresh summer ingredients and...it beats the heck out of jarred salsa. Trust us!

Ingredients:

• 1 can Muir Glen Organic Fire Roasted tomatoes, drained (you can use any brand, but it MUST be fire roasted for the best flavors)
• 1 jalapenos, minced
• Juice of 1 lime
• Bunch of cilantro, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 large red onion, chopped
• Lots of kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Bag of Tostitos Natural Blue Corn tortilla chips (if you are trying to go low-fat, swap the chips with cucumber chips!)

Mix it up: Once you've gathered your ingredients, use a Cuisinart to chop the onion, garlic and jalepenos. Once its mixed, add the cilantro and pulse. Lastly, add the can of tomatoes, lime juice salt and pepper and continue to pulse until your desired consistency. Some like it chunky, others really smooth...totally up to you.

Pairings: If you insist on sipping vino versus kicking back a frozen margarita while indulging in your salsa, go with something light and crisp, like a Chardonnay or a dry Riesling. Because our recipe uses fire roasted tomatoes which have a saltier/acidic taste, these choices will help counteract the flavor with something that has just a hint of sweetness -- just a preference only if we are opting not to throw back the Patron.

• Chardonnay: If you have a few extra pennies in the piggy bank, try the 2006 Reserve Chardonnay from Cakebread Cellars ($55). If you need something a bit less pricey, the 2006 Anderson Valley Chardonnay is also yummers ($30)!!
  
• Riesling: For the price, we like the award-winning V. Sattui 2003 Dry Johannisberg Riesling ($16). If you are looking for a bargain bottle under $10, try the gold-medal winning Kendall Jackson 2004 Vintner's Reserve Reisling, which is recommended to be paired with saltier dishes like fish and ethnic cuisines.