Mama Rita’s Amazing Salsa

Do you ever find an appetizer at a party that is so unexpectedly amazing, that you indulge in way more of it than you should?  It’s so darn good, you just can’t stop eating it? You force yourself to step away because it would be rude to eat the entire bowl, but your head is telling you to just go grab a spoon and slurp it all down!  Those who would criticize be damned!

I found myself at a get together last weekend at my dear friend Veronica’s, and I must confess, I spent an embarrassingly long time shoveling this salsa in my face.  It was so addictive, I couldn’t stop myself. 

I finally came up for air to ask who had brought it to the party, and that is when I was introduced to Mama Rita!  She was kind enough to share her recipe with me, but when she told me the ingredients, I was dubious that it would result in the deliciousness I had been shoveling in my face all evening! 

I mean, have you ever heard of a recipe for salsa that uses tomato sauce, with nary a fresh tomato to be had?  Yep, just plain ole tomato sauce. Who makes salsa using tomato sauce? Mama Rita, that’s who! And now I do too!

Surely she left something out, or I didn’t understand.  I asked her several times over the course of the evening if I had written down all the ingredients correctly, and she reassured me I had it right. I mean, how could something so simple, taste so darn good?

I have been dreaming of her salsa for the last several days.  Yes, you may think that is weird, but honestly, it was that good!  I already had all the ingredients I needed to make the salsa except for the fresh Cilantro so I picked some up on my last trip to the grocery store.

So to get started, chop the Cilantro and the onion.  Place it in a mixing bowl.  Add the rest of the ingredients and stir it all together to combine.  Shovel it in your face with tortilla chips.

I know, easy peasy, right?

Mama Rita’s Amazing Salsa

• 2 bunches Cilantro, roughly chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
• 16 oz water
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 teaspoon Cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt to taste, about a teaspoon, give or take
• 2 tablespoons red pepper flakes

Combine all the ingredients and enjoy with tortilla chips. This will keep in the fridge for about a week. It tastes better after sitting in the fridge overnight; once all the flavors have had a chance to come together and get to know each other.

Yes 2 entire bunches of Cilantro seems like a lot but it’s just the right amount. Same goes for the red pepper flakes. I thought 2 tablespoons would make it too spicy hot to enjoy, but the heat is actually just right!

Let me know if you give this a try. I bet you won’t be able to stop eating it. I double dog dare you to try and restrain yourself! 🙂