The ingredients for a basic homemade salsa include tomatoes, white onions, garlic, salt, lime juice or vinegar, hot sauce, cilantro and chili peppers. The sky is the limit for any other ingredients that you want to add. The important thing to remember is that all your ingredients should compliment one another. This does not mean they should be the same however, because great salsa has a balance of opposites such as sweet and sour, spicy and salty. It’s also great to have a variety of texture as well. If you are not sure what actually goes together experiment by creating little samples before you make a big batch so you don't end up wasting your ingredients.
The first step is to chop and dice all of the vegetables. Then decide if you want to keep them raw or roast them first. Both ways make for great salsa but the result is a very different taste. Just be sure not to over cook your veggies or you will have very mushy salsa.
If you find it easier than dicing, use a food processor. This will produce a saucier salsa but it will definitely save you a lot of time. Once you have all your prep work done begin to mix it all together, adding spices, herbs and lime juice sparingly in the beginning while tasting as you go to make sure you are getting the right balance and blend of flavors.
Once you get the basics down don't be afraid to try other types of salsa such as those made of fruit. Mangoes, peaches, watermelon and strawberries are great for making sweet versions and really add a lot of interest to your dishes. Fruit salsa goes great with seafood and poultry dishes, as well as with desserts like fruit salsa banana splits.
