Lauren's Easy Fresh Salsa

1 Drained can of Rotel tomatoes with chilies (mild) 

1 Drained can of diced tomatoes (14 oz)

fresh cilantro (I pluck the leaves off the stems)

1/4-1/2 onion (how much onion you like, I use white, yellow, sweet or red)

Dash of sugar (about 1/8-1/4 tsp) (this helps take away the canned tomato flavor)

Squirt of Lemon juice (about 1/2-1 tsp) (this helps take away the canned tomato flavor)

Kosher salt or salt (probably 1/2 tsp- 1 tsp)

Add more sugar, salt, or lemon juice if needed...I never measure, it kind of depends on the flavor of the tomatoes in the can.

Put all ingredients in a blender and pulse it until onion is chopped up.

You can also add other Mexican seasonings if you like, Cumin, Garlic Salt, Chili Pepper, etc.  If I don't have Rotel, I use 2 cans of diced tomatoes and then I add these flavors in the blender...sprinkle of this, sprinkle of that...Have some chips standing by to taste it.

Black Bean & Corn Salsa

I just made this for a BBQ, and it was a hit! I've made a few different versions of this dip, but hands down this one is my favorite. I love the fresh corn and the homemade dressing. This comes from my good friend Julie!

(Photo by Julie)

2 cups diced red pepper (about 2 peppers)

2 cups diced tomatoes (about 2 large tomatoes)

2 cans black beans (rinsed and drained well)

2 cups fresh corn (about 3 ears of corn)

1 jalapeño, finely diced

1/4 cup cilantro, finely minced (about 1 cup whole)

1 shallot, finely diced

2 large cloves garlic, finely diced

1/4 cup oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon dried cumin

2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

Start by finely dicing the cilantro, shallot, garlic and jalapeño and place in a small bowl. (Remove seeds from jalapeño, unless you want it really spicy!) To the bowl add oil, red wine vinegar, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Mix together well and set aside.

Fill a medium size pot with water and bring to a boil. Cook corn for 4 minutes. Remove corn from pot and rinse with cold water for a few seconds. Set aside to cool.

Rinse and drain beans well. Chop pepper and tomatoes and place in a large bowl. Slice corn kernels from ears and add to bowl along with the beans. Toss with cilantro mixture. Season with more salt, if necessary, to taste. Eat immediately, or let sit for an hour or two to let the flavor combine. Enjoy!