Unveiling the Flavor Fusion: Cocoa Chipotle Salsa & The Tomato Love Recipe Exchange

Welcome back, food enthusiasts! This week, the highly anticipated Tomato Love Recipe Exchange blossoms with a vibrant array of delectable tomato salsa and dip recipes. We’re thrilled to continue this culinary celebration, embracing the bounty of fresh tomatoes and the joy of sharing homemade creations. As hosts, Cassie and I are incredibly excited to not only bring you inspiring recipes but also to announce a spectacular giveaway! One lucky participant will win a gorgeous Cuisinart 12-Cup Food Processor, an essential tool for any kitchen. Keep reading to discover how you can participate in the #tomatolove and enter this fantastic contest!

My Obsession: The Irresistible Charm of Chips and Salsa

It’s no secret among my friends and family: if given a choice between almost anything else and a generous serving of chips and salsa, I’ll pick the latter every single time. This preference intensifies tenfold during the summer months when fresh produce abounds. There’s something truly magical about the simplicity yet profound flavor of a well-made salsa. As I wander through the bustling local farmers’ market, the sight of those plump, sun-riripened tomatoes, bursting with color and promise, invariably leads me to toss a few (or more!) into my basket. My mission? To whip up a fresh batch of homemade salsa that will brighten our meals throughout the week. Seriously, a good chips and salsa combo is pure bliss!

Introducing a Bold Twist: Cocoa Chipotle Salsa

This week, I decided to venture into uncharted territory for the Tomato Love Recipe Exchange, seeking a unique flavor profile to surprise and delight. My culinary experiment involved incorporating a subtle hint of cocoa into a classic chipotle salsa recipe. For those who know my cooking style, my affection for the chili and chocolate combination is well-documented (you can see it in previous creations like [link to chili-chocolate recipe 1], [link to chili-chocolate recipe 2], and [link to chili-chocolate recipe 3, if available]). However, I had never dared to introduce this intriguing duo into a fresh salsa. The result? Absolutely delicious! For anyone raising an eyebrow at the thought of chocolate in salsa, let me assure you: the cocoa addition is incredibly subtle, not sweet or overpowering. Instead, it imparts a profound, earthy depth and a rich undertone that beautifully complements the smoky heat of the chipotle peppers. This addition transforms a simple salsa into a sophisticated condiment, adding a layer of complexity that will have your guests guessing the secret ingredient. Feel free to adjust the quantity of chipotle peppers and jalapeños based on your preferred level of heat – from a gentle warmth to a fiery kick!

Beyond the deliciousness, I encourage you to explore Cassie’s fantastic hummus recipe this week, featured over at Bake Your Day. Her creations are always inspiring and packed with flavor. Moreover, I wholeheartedly invite you to visit the International Justice Mission’s “Recipe For Change” page. This summer, we’re engaging in vital discussions about how we can collectively support the dedicated farmers who cultivate our tomatoes right here in the United States. It’s a powerful initiative that connects our love for food with a commitment to justice and fair practices. And, of course, don’t forget to enter for your chance to win the incredible Cuisinart 12-Cup Food Processor detailed below!

Cocoa Chipotle Salsa Recipe

A unique and flavorful salsa with a smoky kick and a rich, subtle hint of cocoa.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 4-5 cups (approximately 1x recipe scaling)

Print Recipe

Description

Elevate your salsa game with this unexpectedly delicious Cocoa Chipotle Salsa! The smoky heat of chipotle peppers combined with a delicate touch of unsweetened cocoa powder creates an incredibly rich and complex flavor profile. Perfect for dipping, topping tacos, or enhancing your favorite Mexican dishes, this salsa is quick to prepare and guaranteed to impress. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy fresh tomatoes with an intriguing twist.

Ingredients

2 lb. fresh tomatoes (Roma tomatoes are excellent for their firm texture and lower water content)
1 large white onion, peeled and roughly chopped
1 jalapeno, stemmed and seeded* (remove seeds and veins for less heat)
1/4 cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (typically one 3.5 oz. can, adjust to taste for desired smokiness and heat)
4 cloves garlic, peeled
2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder (use high-quality cocoa for best flavor)
1 tsp. salt (or to taste, start with less and add more if needed)

Instructions

Prepare your ingredients: Wash and quarter the tomatoes. Roughly chop the onion. Stem and seed the jalapeño (see notes for heat adjustment). Peel the garlic cloves.
Combine all ingredients: Place the quartered tomatoes, chopped white onion, seeded jalapeño, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic cloves, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt into the bowl of a food processor.
Process until blended: Secure the lid on your food processor and pulse the ingredients until your desired consistency is reached. For a chunkier salsa, pulse fewer times. For a smoother salsa, process longer. Be careful not to over-process into a complete purée, as some texture is desirable.
Taste and adjust: Sample the salsa and adjust seasonings as necessary. You might want to add more salt, a squeeze of lime juice for brightness, or a tiny pinch more cocoa if you desire a deeper undertone. For more heat, you can add another chipotle pepper or a small piece of the jalapeño’s inner membrane.
Serve immediately or store: This salsa is best enjoyed fresh, served with your favorite tortilla chips, or as a vibrant topping for grilled meats, eggs, or tacos. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The flavors tend to meld and deepen over time, making it even better the next day!

Notes

*Spice Level Adjustment: If you prefer a milder salsa, I highly recommend omitting the fresh jalapeño entirely and starting with just one or two chipotle peppers from the can. Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce provide a wonderful smoky flavor along with heat; you can always add more to taste after an initial blend. For those who love heat, feel free to leave some seeds in the jalapeño or add a second one!

Choosing Tomatoes: While Roma tomatoes are excellent, feel free to use any fresh, ripe tomatoes available to you. Heirloom tomatoes can add beautiful color and complex flavor.

Cocoa Quality: Use a good quality unsweetened cocoa powder. It should be rich and dark, without any added sugars, to ensure the savory depth rather than sweetness.

Serving Suggestions: This versatile salsa pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish, serves as a unique dip for vegetable sticks, or can be folded into scrambled eggs for a flavorful breakfast.

How To Participate In The “Tomato Love Recipe Exchange” Salsas & Dips Week:

Join the “Tomato Love Recipe Exchange” this week for a chance to celebrate the versatility of tomatoes and win an incredible kitchen appliance! This is your opportunity to share your favorite tomato-based appetizers, salsas, and dips with a vibrant community of food lovers.

For a chance to win a 12-cup Cuisinart Food Processor:

Share Your Recipe: Write and post an original recipe on your blog that prominently features tomatoes in an appetizer, salsa, or dip form. Let your creativity shine!
Include Exchange Details: In your blog post, please make sure to include the following statement: “Come share in the tomato love at the Tomato Love Recipe Exchange, hosted by Gimme Some Oven & Bake Your Day, sponsored this week by Cuisinart. Also visit Recipe for Change to learn more about how to support tomato farmers.” This helps spread awareness for the exchange and a worthy cause.
No Blog? No Problem!: If you don’t have a blog, you can still participate! Simply leave your delicious recipe in the comments section of this post to enter the contest.
Link Up Your Creation: Add the direct link to your blog post (or a note indicating your comment entry) to the InLinkz widget below. Please note that we are using the same widget code across both host sites, so only add your link on one site to avoid duplicates.
Submission Deadline: All entries must be submitted before Sunday, July 22nd, at 11:59 PM CST. Make sure to get your recipes in on time!
Eligibility: Anyone can participate and share their recipes in the link-up, fostering a wonderful community of cooks. However, please be aware that the fabulous Cuisinart Food Processor prize can only be shipped to valid US addresses.
Detailed Information: For more comprehensive details on the recipe exchange rules, additional entry methods, and frequently asked questions, please visit Cassie’s site here. Remember to return to this post and leave a separate comment for each additional entry you complete to ensure they are counted!

Additional Entries For Everyone!

Boost your chances of winning the Cuisinart Food Processor by earning up to three additional entries. Simply complete each of the following actions and leave a separate comment below for each one, letting us know you’ve done it!

Twitter: Share the excitement on Twitter! Tweet the following message: “Join @gimmesomeoven & @bakeyourday in celebrating tomato farmers/recipes at the #r4c #TomatoLove Recipe Exchange! – https://bit.ly/NgW0kN”
Instagram: Post a captivating photo of your submitted recipe(s) on Instagram. In your caption, include the text: “I just shared (your recipe’s name) in the #TomatoLove Recipe Exchange.”
Pinterest: Pin any inspiring image from this blog post to your Pinterest board. Be sure to use the #TomatoLove hashtag in your pin description to invite your followers to participate in this fun recipe exchange.

Cuisinart 12-Cup Food Processor, the prize for the Tomato Love Recipe Exchange.

This Week’s Grand Prize: A Cuisinart 12-Cup Food Processor

Cassie and I had the absolute pleasure of putting this amazing 12-cup food processor from Cuisinart through its paces, and we can confidently say it’s a kitchen powerhouse! This robust 1000-watt machine lives up to its promise of powerful performance, effortlessly tackling everything from tough vegetables to delicate purees. What truly sets it apart from many other food processors I’ve owned and used over the years is its remarkably quiet operation. You can process your salsa, chop vegetables, or even knead dough without feeling like you’re operating heavy machinery. Hallelujah indeed! This Cuisinart model is designed for versatility and efficiency, making quick work of demanding culinary tasks and saving you valuable time in the kitchen.

Beyond its impressive power and quiet efficiency, this food processor comes equipped with an array of incredibly useful attachments. These include a nesting 4-cup work bowl for smaller tasks, various stainless steel slicing and shredding disks for perfect uniformity, robust chopping and mixing blades, and even a specialized dough blade for effortless baking preparation. It’s truly a multi-functional appliance that can streamline countless recipes, from everyday meals to elaborate holiday feasts. The package also includes comprehensive user information and inspiring recipes to help you get the most out of your new kitchen companion. We highly recommend exploring this fantastic appliance and other innovative Cuisinart products. You can find more details and connect with them on their official website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, and YouTube channel!

As we wrap up this week of sensational salsas and dazzling dips, start thinking about your next tomato masterpiece! Get your creative juices flowing and your tomato salad recipes ready for next week’s exciting installment of the Tomato Love Recipe Exchange. We can’t wait to see what fresh, vibrant creations you’ll share!

Disclaimer: This exciting giveaway is proudly sponsored by Cuisinart. I was graciously provided a 12-cup food processor for the purpose of review and hosting this giveaway. Please rest assured, all opinions expressed regarding the product are 100% my own and remain completely honest and unbiased. This giveaway will be open for entries until Sunday, July 22nd. The fortunate prize winner will be selected entirely at random using the reliable service of www.random.org. Once chosen, the winner will be promptly notified and will have three (3) days to respond and claim their prize before an alternate winner is selected. Please note that this contest is open exclusively to residents of the United States. Good luck to all participants!