Food, Fiesta, Friends

Throw a salsa party in 20 minutes

With the fresh tomatoes, peppers and jalapeños in season, it won’t take much to throw together a colorful salsa party with your best friends. All you need is a basket of farmers market goodies, some light cocktails, a casual backdrop and your besties. For this salsa party, we borrowed the gorgeous dining area of Heights Taco and Tamale Co. in Little Rock, and chef Scott McGehee prepared a delightful bowl of salsa and shared the recipe. So, pick a day, text your friends and find inspiration for your next girls night in.

Summer Garden Salsa Fresca

courtesy of Heights Taco & Tamale chef Scott McGehee

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup small diced onion

3 cups small diced ripe garden fresh tomatoes (try mixing different colors and textures of heirloom tomatoes)

1 cup small diced sweet (not spicy) peppers (try different colors and varieties. Anaheims, Marconis, Lunchbox Peppers, or Bell Peppers)

1 Tbsp seeded and minced hot peppers (jalapeños and fresh cayennes, or fresh habaneros for a spicier salsa)

1/2 cup canned or fresh roasted peeled and seeded green chilies

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

3 large cloves garlic minced

1 Tbsp kosher salt

1 tsp cracked pepper

1 Tbsp good quality olive oil

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Optional: 1 Tbsp of your favorite Mexican style hot sauce or habanero sauce.

DIRECTIONS: Mix together in a bowl. Dig in with chips.

Serves: 6 to 8 people