Hot Salsa for Your Summer Party

The summer is here and with it comes pool parties and celebrations. Let's face it, no Summer party is complete without chips and salsa for friends to munch on. This year will be a little different however, because you will spice up your party with a delicious Hot Salsa that you can prepare easily at home.

Ingredients
10-12 Dried Japanese Chili pods
1-2 Diced Red Jalapeños
1/2 8oz Can of Tomato Sauce
1/4 Cup Diced White Onion
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
1 Teaspoon Honey(or Granulated Sugar)
1/2 Lime
3 Diced Roma Tomatoes
1 Teaspoon Salt

The first step of making a really delicious Hot Salsa is finding the perfect peppers. It is surprising how many people don't know how to find fresh Jalapeños that are spicy. Look in your local grocery store, in the produce section, for Red Jalapeños. When you find the section and location, it's time to determine which peppers will give your Hot Salsa a spicy kick. The peppers that appear to be more orange than yellow are the ones that I prefer, but you will have to look a little closer. If the peppers appear to be waxy and smooth on the outside, chances are they won't be hot. The peppers that are wrinkled and cracked on the surface are the ones you will want to use. The Dried Japanese Chili Pods can usually be found in the Mexican/Asian/Ethnic food section of your grocery store or sometimes with the spices or produce. They are purplish-red skinny little peppers that are generally packaged in clear plastic bags. The rest of the ingredients on th list are easy to find, if you don't already have them in your home.

The second step of making a Hot Salsa is to briefly cook some of the ingredients together. Cooking the peppers in oil releases the flavors and full spicy potential. Put the Vegetable oil in a sauce or frying pan and adjust the oven stove top to High Heat. Remove the stems from the Japanese Chili pods and put them in the pan together with the diced Jalapeños, diced Roma tomatoes, and diced onion. Let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

The third step is easy . . . add the rest of the ingredients to the already cooled mixture. This includes 1/2 of an 8oz can of tomato sauce, salt, honey or sugar(depending on which you prefer), and squeeze half of a lime into the mixture.

Finally, you can put the mixture in to the blender and liquefy at the highest speed. CAUTION: Make sure that the mixture is cool before blending. If you prefer your Salsa more saucy you can add the rest of the 8oz can of tomato sauce or 1/4 cup of water. Then you can pour the Hot Salsa into a bowl and enjoy. You and your guests will be lit up in no time. This Hot Salsa will definitely spice up your Summer party!