Sidewalk Salsa

Dick Butkis and Roger Ebert ate this salsa. Just about anyone I’ve done Craft Service for has. This salsa has been made all over Chicago, on city streets and various kitchens. I make it using a food processor, BUT if you don’t have one just a little chopping will get you all set. That is what I do on location.

½ small white onion
¼ cup cilantro
½ bell pepper (any color)
Juice from ½ lime (sometime I use the whole thing)
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 can petite-diced tomatoes (drained)
1 can petite or regular diced tomatoes with chiles (hot or mild, drained)

In a food processor combine first five ingredients; don’t chop them just put them in whole. To get the most juice out of the lime, pierce its skin with a knife and heat it in the microwave for 7-10 seconds. Slice it in half and squeeze out the juice or us a reamer. Pulse four or five times then add the olive oil and pulse a few more. Add the tomatoes and pulse only 2 maybe 3 times. If you are doing this with out the use of a food processor, chop the onion, pepper and cilantro and then combine all ingredients in a bowl, omitting the olive oil. It’s just as good both ways.