Trader Joe's Roasted Tomato Salsa

By reading the ingredients listed on a container of Trader Joe's roasted salsa, I was able to compose a recipe. What we like about this recipe is that because you choose the type of chili used, you can control the amount of heat. (I do know that one of the chilis used in the original Trader Joe's version is jalapeno-fyi.) For our version, we added one dried chipotle, which I re-hydrated and one roasted Thai pepper.

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Yields: 2 cups

Ingredients

• 1  lb  roasted fresh tomato
• 1⁄4 cup tomato juice
• 2  roasted chilies, any type (spicy or not)
• 1  small onion, roasted
•  salt, to taste
• 1  tablespoon  aged dark  balsamic vinegar
• 2  garlic cloves, roasted
• 1  tablespoon lime juice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
• 1⁄4 cup fresh cilantro
• 1⁄2 teaspoon liquid smoke

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and,using the PULSE function, blend salsa to desired consistency. Trader Joe's version is semi-chunky. If it helps, add more tomato juice or water if the salsa is too thick and won't blend.
2. Note that all the amounts for the ingredients are estimated.
3. Serve salsa at room temperature.
4. Note: prep time does not include roasting the vegetables.