Carol L. Cain
Hot Salsa
3 red ripe tomatoes 1 smallish can of tomato paste 2 - 4 Habanero chiles (leave out if you like it milder) 6 Jalapeno chiles (fewer if you like) 3 cayenne peppers ( " ") 3 Fresno chiles (" ") 4 fresh green onions 4 cloves garlic 1/2 large cucumber a few sprigs of cilantro 1 tsp cummin (maybe a bit more depending on taste) 1 tsp oregano ( " " ) If you use really hot (picante) chiles then care must be taken in introducing them to the blender. I first put 1 tomato in the blender with the tomato paste to buffer the habanero peppers. I caused an emergency evacuation of the kitchen (with coughing people) by first putting in the peppers and hitting the blend button - oops. After getting the hot peppers tamed down put in the rest of ingredients and chop (at least on my blender that is a nice slow button so as not to end up with just chile paste - a little chunkiness is nice. I guess you could saute the onions and garlic beforehand to tame down their potential for monster breath, but I like to eat lots of this stuff and am probably not inviting company regardless. Also I rather like the fresh tangy taste of raw garlics and onions anyway. Not recommended before social engagements.