A fresh salsa recipe is a great basic appetizer and every cook should master at least one kind of recipe for salsa to add at dinner and party time.

Salsas are quick and easy to prepare. Just make sure you have the basics on hand, including garden fresh tomatoes, chili peppers, onions, garlic and extras, such as fresh cilantro and minced garlic.

Courtesy of daisybush

Blending tomatoes with many different onions and vegetables make up an endless variety of fresh salsas. Serve salsas as an appetizer with chips, as a condiment with gourmet mexican, seafood and meat dishes, or even create a dessert salsa, as so many sophisticated home chefs have discovered.

Stop to consider the nutritional benefits of eating salsas. So many times getting our vegetables is a less than outstanding culinary experience.

Sampling a tomatoe salsa recipe is so flavorful that we don't even realize how much great nutrition is packed into those tomatoes and little chopped veggies and garlic.

Inspired? Check out how to grow your own tomatoes here

Courtesy of Paul Eisenberg

Here is a traditional authentic easy salsa recipe to try at your next meal.

Fresh Salsa

INGREDIENTS

4-5 Tomatoes, ripe

1/4 Cup Red Onion, finely chopped

2 Jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced

1 Serrano pepper, seeded and minced (optional)

2 cloves Garic, peeled and minced

Juice of 1 Lime

Ground Black Pepper and Salt to taste

1/4 Cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped

Dash of Oregano and Cumin to taste

You do not need to cook away the nutrition in any recipe for salsa unless you are Canning Salsa.

Just combine the ingredients as listed in order, wrap and let sit for an hour to meld the flavors. Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, guacamole and black beans. Enjoy!

Courtesy of Maggie Hoffman