My Homemade Pico De Gallo Recipe Using Canned Tomatoes

Here is my recipe for pico using canned tomatoes. Now I also make a pico using fresh tomatoes. But this has a bit of a different texture and taste and I have found that a wider range of folks like it. I do not use jalapenos in this recipe. You could. My stomach cannot take the heat often and lots of people do not like them. So therefore is the omission. Feel free to add jalapenos if you desire.

Ingredients:

(1) 28 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, drained

(1) cucumber, peeled and seeded, and chopped

(1) handful fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped

(1) green bell pepper, chopped into 1/4 inch pieces

(1) Vidalia or red onion, peeled and chopped into 1/4 inch pieces

Juice of one lime

Sea salt

(1) teaspoon (or more) ground cumin

(1) teaspoon (optional) red chili powder

coarse ground pepper to taste

Directions

Mix all the above ingredients well. You can always add a little more lime juice if you desire. Refrigerate for at least one hour. I usually make it in the morning and let it sit in the fridge at least until lunch. Always use fresh cilantro. To chop cilantro, break off a handful and rinse. Squeeze out the water. Roll into a ball and then slice across the whole bunch with a very sharp knife. Roll into a ball again and repeat. The more times you do this, the smaller the cilantro pieces will be. I like them in big pieces. Fresh cilantro is incredible. I do not like dried at all! You can find cilantro in the produce section of most supermarkets. It costs 69 cents to 89 cents a bunch.

This is also a great party dip and goes well with homemade pita chips or with your favorite tortilla chips. For a low carb plate using this pico, try topping an omelet with it. You can also use this as a basis for a low carb lunch using whole wheat, low-carb tortillas. Spread a little sour cream on the tortilla, top with the pico, add a sprinkle of cheese, fold up and eat! It is delicious and very low cal, especially if you use the low carb tortillas that have 60 calories or less.