Raisa's salsa

 What do you do when your family loves salsa,

but the cheapest jar of salsa you can buy locally is over $4?

Well, we did buy it, and we used it sparingly.

Until Raisa told me that she knows how to make it.  

(Why did I never think of making it?)

Raisa is an enthusiastic young Filipina woman who is a Foodie at heart,

eager to try new recipes, and to learn everything she can.

When we returned to Davao in January, she was looking for some extra work,

and was willing to come as our helper for a few hours each Monday morning.

Raisa starts out her work week by preparing bread or tortillas or muffins for us,

a huge blessing when we bake almost all of our own breads
in a perpetually hot, sweaty kitchen.

Besides, Raisa is just plain fun to have around.

And Raisa knows how to whip up salsa with a kick.

So instead of our paying $4 for a jar of salsa,

Raisa now provides us with a batch of 5 jars for just over $2.

And it's delicious.

Raisa's Salsa 
(recipe adapted from Judy C's.!)

3 yellow onions, diced
1 1/2 c. green or red bell pepper, finely chopped
3 T chopped chili peppers w/seeds (add more for hot, less for mild)
6 cups chopped tomatoes
4 tsp brown sugar
2/3 c apple cider vinegar
2 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper
1/2 c tomato paste
2 tsp cumin

·         Put all of the above into a big pot and cook it all for 20 minutes on low heat

·         When cooked, blend it all together in a blender (or a food processor if you have one!) for a few seconds, depending on how chunky you like your salsa

·        Pour into jars and allow to cool before covering

·        This freezes well, if you can stop eating it while you still have enough left to freeze!
 

Thanks, Raisa, for all you do!