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Cheap and Easy Homemade Salsa!
Because People Like to say, “Salsa

Buying salsa kills me. For a simple mix of onion and tomato it costs $3.50. This measly 15.5oz jar lasts about 10 minutes, 5 minutes if I share it with friends. Plus! That’s not even the good salsa! I’m just talking the run of the mill Tostido nonsense you get at the 711!

I never thought I could master the art of salsa so I begrudgingly complied to the salsa injustice I faced. That is until I went to Spain. In Spain, Mexican food basically does not exist. I know, I know, they’re Spanish! Shouldn’t they eat exactly like Mexicans?! No. Unfortunately, there is nothing about Spanish cuisine that even comes close to Mexican.

Like all globalized nations, they do have Mexican food. But frankly, it’s awful and it costs double the price of the same products you’d find in the states. So my little 15.5oz Tostido jar of salsa turned into an even smaller jar for $2 more and an even worse flavor!

No thankyou.

So I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands and my little kitchen in Barcelona was the birth place of Cheap Vegan Salsa. It has been a while since I talked salsa on here so I decided to re-share my recipe with you.

But first, recognize that no two home made salsas are identical and you can be as creative with this recipe as you like. Want to add Garlic? Mango? Black beans? Jalepenos?! Go for it! I’m providing the cheapest salsa building blocks, it’s up to you to make it your own.

Cheap Vegan Salsa

  • 1 large can crushed tomatoes - $1 
    (fresh tomatoes blended are even better)
  • 1 green bell pepper - $0.35
  • 1/2 large onion - $0.20
  • 1/4 lime - $0.10
  • 5-10 cilantro leaves - free from your herb garden
    (a $3 cilantro plant is an investment, it will last as long as you water it) 
  • salt
  1. Pour crushed tomatoes into a jar.
  2. Dice the onion and green pepper and put them in the jar as well.
  3. Rip up the cilantro leaves and throw them in too.
  4. Squeeze lime on top.
  5. Salt to taste, I think the salsa in this photo probably had 1-2 tsp
  6. Let salsa sit in fridge overnight.
    You can eat it right away but it will improve the longer it sits.

There you have it! 2 and a half times the salsa for under $2!

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Out of tomato and onion? Salsa already has both!

Out of tomato and onion? Salsa already has both!

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Bubble and Squeakless Brunch Recipe
While the British aren’t well known for their culinary contributions, they do know how to make some cheap food, and this one is actually pretty good. In the photo above you can see our brunch from today: bubble and squeak with homemade baked beans and a tomato/onion salsa. (the coke in the background is definitely not mine…) Typically you fry the cabbage and potato cakes in a pan of oil, this makes bubbling and squeaking sounds (where the name comes from), I chose to bake rather than fry for my version of this recipe hence where the cheap vegan name comes from.This recipe was also traditionally made using the leftovers from a big roast the night before. Feel free to throw in some left overs you have in the fridge. Bubble and Squeak also commonly has peas, carrots, or brussel sprouts in them.
What you need:Cabbage - $1 a headRed Potatoes - $2 for bag of about 10Tomatoes - $1.50 for 4 tomatoesRed onions - $2 for a bag of about 8Vegetable Bouillon - $3 for 8 large cubes (optional, you can use salt)BBQ Sauce - about $2 depending on brand (cheap trick, as for BBQ sauce at take away restaurants instead of buying your own)**these prices are an estimated conversion from EurosThe ingredients used in this meal for 2 people only costs about $2 total!
Bubble and Squeaklessfor 2 people4 Red Potatoes (small/medium sized)1/2 head of cabbage1/4 large vegetable bouillon cube1/4 onion (diced)Splash of oil
Bake potatoes in oven until soft (you can also boil but this leeches nutrients out of the potato)
Chop 1/2 head lettuce into thin slices, be sure to wash off all the dirt. Put a small splash of oil in a frying pan and add onion and cabbage.(If you’re like me and only have 1 smaller sized pan just cabbage slowly, it will cook down)
Check on potatoes, when soft, mash and let cool.
When cabbage is a little bit softer and coated with a little oil and water from cooking, add 1/4 of bouillon cube, depending on the brand of bouillon you will either need to add water to melt cube or you can just crumble it on top.
Mix cabbage and potatoes together, once cool enough to touch, form in to multiple small cakes or 1 large cake about 1 inch thick and put them on greased baking sheet. Bake until brown.
Baked Beans
This isn’t your typical Bush’s baked beans (though you can just use a can if you prefer)
Once you have soaked and cooked your beans, just add a little BBQ sauce, a splash of pureed tomato (about 1/2 tomato), and some thyme if you have it, and bake in the oven. Include a some of the bean water for a nice creamy sauce.
Tomato/onion salsa
Dice 2 tomatoes and 1/4 of an onion and add them together. Add salt to taste.
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This is a great warm comforting food to make when you’re stuck in the house all day. It’s also made almost entirely whole food ingredients, making this a healthier choice for a big brunch.

Bubble and Squeakless Brunch Recipe

While the British aren’t well known for their culinary contributions, they do know how to make some cheap food, and this one is actually pretty good. In the photo above you can see our brunch from today: bubble and squeak with homemade baked beans and a tomato/onion salsa. (the coke in the background is definitely not mine…)
Typically you fry the cabbage and potato cakes in a pan of oil, this makes bubbling and squeaking sounds (where the name comes from), I chose to bake rather than fry for my version of this recipe hence where the cheap vegan name comes from.
This recipe was also traditionally made using the leftovers from a big roast the night before. Feel free to throw in some left overs you have in the fridge. Bubble and Squeak also commonly has peas, carrots, or brussel sprouts in them.

What you need:
Cabbage - $1 a head
Red Potatoes - $2 for bag of about 10
Tomatoes - $1.50 for 4 tomatoes
Red onions - $2 for a bag of about 8
Vegetable Bouillon - $3 for 8 large cubes (optional, you can use salt)
BBQ Sauce - about $2 depending on brand
(cheap trick, as for BBQ sauce at take away restaurants instead of buying your own)
**these prices are an estimated conversion from Euros
The ingredients used in this meal for 2 people only costs about $2 total!

Bubble and Squeakless
for 2 people
4 Red Potatoes (small/medium sized)
1/2 head of cabbage
1/4 large vegetable bouillon cube
1/4 onion (diced)
Splash of oil

  1. Bake potatoes in oven until soft (you can also boil but this leeches nutrients out of the potato)
  2. Chop 1/2 head lettuce into thin slices, be sure to wash off all the dirt. Put a small splash of oil in a frying pan and add onion and cabbage.
    (If you’re like me and only have 1 smaller sized pan just cabbage slowly, it will cook down)
  3. Check on potatoes, when soft, mash and let cool.
  4. When cabbage is a little bit softer and coated with a little oil and water from cooking, add 1/4 of bouillon cube, depending on the brand of bouillon you will either need to add water to melt cube or you can just crumble it on top.
  5. Mix cabbage and potatoes together, once cool enough to touch, form in to multiple small cakes or 1 large cake about 1 inch thick and put them on greased baking sheet. Bake until brown.

Baked Beans

This isn’t your typical Bush’s baked beans (though you can just use a can if you prefer)

  1. Once you have soaked and cooked your beans, just add a little BBQ sauce, a splash of pureed tomato (about 1/2 tomato), and some thyme if you have it, and bake in the oven. Include a some of the bean water for a nice creamy sauce.

Tomato/onion salsa

  1. Dice 2 tomatoes and 1/4 of an onion and add them together. Add salt to taste.

—-

This is a great warm comforting food to make when you’re stuck in the house all day. It’s also made almost entirely whole food ingredients, making this a healthier choice for a big brunch.

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10 Snack Foods You Forgot Were Raw

Raw whole foods are the healthiest you can eat, but when you hear “raw diet” it’s hard not to think of salad. While a totally raw diet isn’t for everyone, eating more whole food than processed food is possible and healthy. One of the most tempting times to grab unhealthy food is snack time. Instead of going for the white cheddar popcorn, here is a list of 10 snack foods that are conveniently raw (or mostly raw).

  1. Bruschetta - Tomatoes, onions, basil, some garlic, sea salt, and if you use cold pressed olive oil are totally raw.
  2. Frozen Banana - Delicious dessert that is really similar to ice cream.
  3. Hummus - (recipe for raw hummus here) Chick peas, garlic, lemons, paprika.
  4. Salsa - Tomato, onion, green pepper, cilantro, sea salt, and lime juice.
  5. Fruit Salad- When something is as delicious as a combination of all your favorite fruits, and so common you can find it in most cafes or even Wawas, it’s easy to forget fruit salad is raw.
  6. Olive Plate - assortments of olives are a fancy treat, full of healthy fats.
  7. Guacamole - Avocados, onions, tomatoes, a little sea salt and lime juice.
  8. Pistachios (and other raw nuts)
  9. Granola - There are many different types of raw granola, perfect grab and go snack or, add almond milk and make it a meal.
  10. Smoothies - Yes!

While most of us aren’t willing to make an 100% raw commitment, incorporating raw foods in to our diet is one of the best ways to insure you’re eating healthy and we can do it with foods we already eat normally.

(NOTE: The recipes for all of items listed above have room for variation, if you want to be sure your snack is 100% raw, make it at home or be sure to ask the cook. Processed versions of these snacks can have added sugars and salts, be sure to read labels.)

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Easy and authentic tasting salsa recipe that doesn’t suck…
Who hasn’t wished they had a little abuela Mexicana to make them perfect home made salsa? Unfortunately for many of us, we don’t have Mexican family members that can pass recipes down to us. But after trying many different salsas, I found a way to make one that mimics the one served at  my favorite Mexican restaurant, El Tapatio.
Now I don’t know what they really do, but after having their salsa and many others, I found a way to make something that comes darn close to what I like best with only 5 ingredients.
Easiest Homemade Salsa Recipe Ever
1 can puréed tomato (or 3 or 4 tomatoes puréed at home)
1 small red onion, 1/2 big onion
4-5 leaves fresh cilantro (very important*)
1 tbsp diced green bell pepper
jalapeños or crushed red pepper optional (only if you want spicy sauce)
salt
Pour all ingredients in a jar or bowl except salt. Mix together. Add salt to taste. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 6 hours, for best results overnight.
**Now if you are grumpy because you don’t have fresh cilantro, here’s a link explaining why every Cheap Vegan should invest in fresh herbs. My cilantro plant only cost $1.50 and will last as long as I water it and give it sunlight. That means endless salsa!

Easy and authentic tasting salsa recipe that doesn’t suck…

Who hasn’t wished they had a little abuela Mexicana to make them perfect home made salsa? Unfortunately for many of us, we don’t have Mexican family members that can pass recipes down to us. But after trying many different salsas, I found a way to make one that mimics the one served at  my favorite Mexican restaurant, El Tapatio.

Now I don’t know what they really do, but after having their salsa and many others, I found a way to make something that comes darn close to what I like best with only 5 ingredients.

Easiest Homemade Salsa Recipe Ever

  • 1 can puréed tomato (or 3 or 4 tomatoes puréed at home)
  • 1 small red onion, 1/2 big onion
  • 4-5 leaves fresh cilantro (very important*)
  • 1 tbsp diced green bell pepper
  • jalapeños or crushed red pepper optional (only if you want spicy sauce)
  • salt

Pour all ingredients in a jar or bowl except salt. Mix together. Add salt to taste. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 6 hours, for best results overnight.

**Now if you are grumpy because you don’t have fresh cilantro, here’s a link explaining why every Cheap Vegan should invest in fresh herbs. My cilantro plant only cost $1.50 and will last as long as I water it and give it sunlight. That means endless salsa!

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All done my Super Bowl Black Bean Salsa! It only took me about 3 minutes and $4 and it will benefit all my friends tonight during the game.
To reiterate, this is just:
1 can black beans
1 can corn 
1 can chopped tomatoes 
1/4 of a bottle of low fat Italian Dressing 
(real or frozen versions of these veggies work too and are healthier, just make sure to de-thaw)
And that is literally it. Pour it all in a big dipping bowl and serve with tortilla chips.

All done my Super Bowl Black Bean Salsa! It only took me about 3 minutes and $4 and it will benefit all my friends tonight during the game.

To reiterate, this is just:

1 can black beans

1 can corn

1 can chopped tomatoes

1/4 of a bottle of low fat Italian Dressing

(real or frozen versions of these veggies work too and are healthier, just make sure to de-thaw)

And that is literally it. Pour it all in a big dipping bowl and serve with tortilla chips.