Fresh Tomato Salsa

This chile pepper gets its name from its origin. In Spanish, serrano is an adjective meaning “from the mountains” which is where it originated-in the mountains of Hildalgo, Mexico. The serrano is normally about twice as hot as Jalapeno (about 10,000 to 15,000 Scoville units). It is the second most popular chile pepper in Mexico. This chile is used mostly for salsas but can also be used in soups, sauces, chili or stews. Try these as a hotter substitute for Jalapeno.

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FRESH TOMATO SALSA

Ingredients:

2 pounds vine-ripened red and/or orange tomatoes (about 5 medium)
2 fresh serrano chiles
1/4 med. onion (preferably white)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. sugar
1-1/2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

Instructions:

Quarter and seed the tomatoes. Cut the tomatoes into 1/4″ dice and transfer to a bowl. Wearing rubber gloves, seed and finely chop the chiles. Finely chop enough onion to measure 1/4 cup and chop the cilantro as well. Stir the chiles, onion, cilantro and garlic into the tomatoes with the sugar, lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. This salsa can be made 1 hour ahead of time and kept at cool room temperature.

Makes about 2-1/2 cups.