Most bottles have a generic list of ingredients that include tomatoes, peppers, vinegar, natural flavors and spices. A few include Xanthan Gum, yeast extracts and preservatives.  Not one of them passed the additive free test.

The unfailing problems are  “natural flavors” and “spices.”  Those 3 little words almost guarantee that the product has enough free glutamate/MSG to trigger a reaction. David is very sensitive and this is not a risk we are willing to take!  As for me, I always remember that the free glutamate (L-Glutamate) in MSG stimulates brain cells to death. I really need my remaining brain cells so I abstain as well.

Back to  “natural flavors” and “spices.”  Here’s the deal, food manufactures have a number of aliases for MSG.  They include:

• Spices – may contain between 30% to 60% MSG
• Flavor(s) & Flavoring(s) — may contain between 30% to 60% MSG
• Natural Flavor(s) & Flavoring(s) —  may contain between 30% to 60% MSG
• Seasonings — the word “seasonings” often contain MSG
• For a better list of food additives hiding as MSG click here.

While driving home I started thinking.  Why was I being so lazy? I obviously needed to start making my own salsa. How hard can it be?

As it turns out, not too hard. . . BUT (if you are me) quite messy. I kept trying new concoctions and cleaning up the mess. I used the simple basic ingredients: tomatoes, onions, peppers and a few spices in lots of combinations.  My results are on their own page. I have spared you the ugly details and put my 3 favorite methods on their own pages.  Just click through and check them out.

1. Fresh and Sassy – a fresh pico de gallo.  Great as dip, guacamole, salad dressing, in tacos and as garnish to a variety of dishes.  Five minutes from start to eating time!
2. Quick and Tasty – a simple stovetop method.  I use this mainly for cooking.  Add it to casseroles and things like enchiladas.  Five minutes prep and 20 minutes of cooking.
3. Slow and Savory – oven roasted veggies create an amazing flavor.  This is a wonderful dipping and garnish sauce.  Preparing and roasting the veggies is a little time-consuming and messy but really worth it! Great to make on a rainy day when you are going anywhere!

The recipes are simple templates and here are a few variations worth trying:

• Replace tomatoes with a combination  1/2 tomatoes and 1/2 tomatillos
• Use straight tomatillos instead of tomatoes for green salsa
• Replace tomatoes with a combination 1/2 tomatoes and 1/2 mango
• Roast some garlic and add a bunch to the batch
• Add Black Beans and/or corn to the mix
• Try all different kinds and combinations of peppers to favor both heat and flavor

Once you have made your own and tasted the difference, you won’t want to go back to commercial salsa ever again!