Mango Salsa

I've been searching for inspiration and found it on Facebook via Beni Johnson - the wife of one of the most influential people of my spiritual life, Bill Johnson.  I've subscribed to iBethel.tv for a couple of years now and recently purchased the Wellness Seminar held at Bethel Church in Redding, CA in which Beni speaks about wellness and advocates raw food.  I don't have much time these days, as usual with full-time school, parenting, providing child care, and now gardening season.  It's important for me to note that every time I take advantage of listening to podcasts or watching streaming sermons online from Bethel it never fails: my life is changed from a deep place in my heart - always.  I NEVER go away thinking, "that was a waste of time!"  

So Beni recently asked if others had had much luck growing cilantro at home.  I never have had much luck myself, but had a nice big fresh bunch of cilantro in my crisper waiting to be used and after a trip to the Iowa City Farmer's Market over the weekend I scored a bag full of hothouse tomatoes and it's time for my first batch of salsa of the season!  I just happened to have a very ripe mango here as well and decided to try out some mango salsa.  Success!

The recipe made exactly enough to fill this cute jar and because I strained the tomatoes first I got another little jar of fresh tomato juice as well.  Mmmm, good!

Mango Salsa

7 small tomatoes, strained
1 medium mango, chopped
1 sweet bell pepper (I used orange to match the mango ;)
1/3 cup fresh cilantro
1 tsp kosher salt
3/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp onion powder (you can use fresh if you have it, I didn't have any on hand)
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp fresh lime juice

First cut tomatoes in quarters and place in a strainer over a pot or bowl.  Gently mash massage the tomatoes to extract juice and allow to sit for 5 minutes or so to drain.  Pour tomatoes, chopped mango and all seasonings in a food processor and pulse a few times.  Do not over process.  Pour into a jar to use later or a bowl to enjoy now!

This is a sweet and tangy salsa and is delicious with raw tortilla chips or in a raw wrap.  You can also enjoy it with tortilla chips if you aren't eating all raw.  Either way, it's worth giving a try for a new twist on salsa.