Best Mark Bittmans Tomato Onion Salsa Recipes

PAN-GRILLED TOMATO SALSA

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet, preferably cast iron or nonstick, over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, raise the heat to high and cook until lightly charred on one side, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn, and cook the other side very lightly, about 1 minute. If necessary, work in batches to avoid crowding the tomatoes.
• Combine the olive oil and vinegar in a large, shallow dish and, as the tomatoes are done, turn them in the mixture. Season, and serve as a side dish, or as a sauce for grilled or roasted fish or chicken. (The salsa can be refrigerated for up to a day or two. Bring to room temperature before serving.)

ONION AND TOMATO SALSA

Steps:

• Put onion, tomato, salt and chiles in a serving bowl. Mix to combine and let flavor meld for at least 10 minutes. Just before serving, stir in cilantro. Salsa is best if made fresh and used within an hour or two.

TOMATO SALSA WITH FRUIT

Steps:

• Soak the chopped onion in the lime juice for 20 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
• Combine the tomatoes, chili, cilantro and fruit. When the onion is ready, stir it in, along with some salt. Add more lime juice if necessary, and serve with duck, chicken, grilled halibut or other fish.

SALSA FRESCA

Steps:

• Place minced onion in a bowl and cover with cold water. Add vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes or longer. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• In a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients and stir in onions. (If your tomatoes are full of flavor, you won't need lime juice.) Ideally, let stand at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before eating so that flavors will blend and ripen.

TOMATO SAUCE WITH ONION AND BUTTER

Steps:

• Put either the prepared fresh tomatoes or the canned ones in a medium saucepan, add the butter, onion and salt and cook uncovered at a very slow but steady simmer for about 45 minutes, or until it is thickened to your liking and the fat floats free from the tomato.
• Stir from time to time, mashing up large pieces of tomato with the back of a wooden spoon. Taste and correct for salt. Discard the onion before tossing with pasta.

MARK BITTMAN'S TOMATO-ONION SALSA

Steps:

• Quarter the onion and tomatoes and whiz them in a food processor or blender with all the other ingredients except the lemon juice.
• Taste and add more salt and paprika or cayenne if needed along with the lemon juice or vinegar to taste. Serve or refrigerate for up to a day or two before serving.