My mother first introduced me to this super simple way of creating a homemade salsa.  This is so easy, has so few ingredients and yet has such a satisfying taste, you will be amazed!  There are several variations that can be created, depending on preference of the level of spiciness you prefer.  My family tends to like mild salsa, so I made this mild.  If you like it spicier, you can make the necessary adjustments.  If you are making this to serve to guests at a party or get-together, you may want to err on the side of mild to appeal to a wider audience.

Ingredients:

2-3 ripe avocados

1 can of diced tomatoes or rotel

cilantro (to taste)

garlic salt (to taste)

Cut open the avocados and slice them into 1 inch chunks.  Toss into a bowl.  Now, with the tomatoes, you can drain them or pour the whole can into the bowl.  I poured the whole can, I like it that way.  Plus, extra nutrients from the juices!!  Sprinkle with cilantro (dried or fresh) and garlic salt (or minced garlic.)  If you choose to go with a spicier version, feel free to add chopped green chiles, or in place of the the canned tomatoes, use a can of Rotel which has the green chiles included.

Refrigerate and serve!  This will keep in the fridge 2 days.  I suggest making it within one to two hours of serving if you are entertaining because the avocado tends to darken and not look very appealing.

Avocados are an extremely healthy fruit (yes, fruit….google it!)  They have anti-cancer benefits and anti-inflammatory benefits.  Avocado is rich is many nutrients which are considered to help combat heart disease such as the following: oleic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-6, folic acids, and folate.  The benefits of avocados seem endless!

Tomatoes, even canned tomatoes, provide many vitamins and nutrients as well.  Canned tomatoes actually have been proven to provide more lycopene than fresh tomatoes as well as an increased amount of some phytochemicals versus fresh tomatoes (this is assuming you are not picking and eating the tomato the same day.)

References:

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20070316/canned-fruits-veggies-healthy-too

http://avocadohealthbenefits.org/