Best Easy and Fresh Salsa Recipe

March 06, 2014

So I always wonder about the “as seen on TV” stuff – you know, the slicers and dicers and curlers and magic doodads that fix everything? Back in the day I wanted to start a blog about just those products, but I figured that would get expensive fast. I don’t even buy many of them, but I love hearing how things work out for people. 

And then the other day I thought…I have a blog – why not do it? (Occasionally.) So this is my first review, and I threw in a simple recipe to go with it. :) 

I asked for this one for Christmas and my parents got it (and one for themselves!) cause it seemed like it worked and was easy to use:
 as seen on TV chopperchop magic
They ALL look like they work and are easy to use on the commercials though, that’s how they get ya!
It’s real name is Chop Magic and I decided to test it out on one of my favorite recipes – homemade salsa:
simple salsa recipe
My late father-in-law taught me how to make a great salsa and it’s so easy. I add two things that are a must (in my opinion) – cilantro and a bit of garlic.

You’ll need:
Tomatoes (I like roma)
Red onion
Garlic
Lime
Cilantro
Serrano pepper
Jalapeño pepper

Notice I didn’t say amounts – you just kind of add each one till it tastes the way you want it. I share my exact measurements at the end of the post! I like a lot of cilantro and a little bit of pepper, but it will depend on how hot you can take it. 

I do have to say quickly that my father-in-law (who was from Mexico) would be cursing me right now for using this tool, but I think he secretly would have liked it. ;) 

So the pictures promise big things, like a whole (photoshopped) onion that appears to be easily chopped:
chop magic as seen on TV
I didn’t quite believe it but I decided to use the larger chop grate and tried one of the whole tomatoes, which would surely be easier to chop than a whole onion:
chop magic review
Uhhh, no. Do not try a whole vegetable. :) 

DO slice it up (I did thick slices because I like mine chunky) and then do it:
chop magic review
That worked like a charm and I was on a roll. It really does slice the slices quite easily. 

Because I like the onion chunks a bit smaller, I sliced those thin and then used the smaller chop grate:
as seen on TV chopper
So one small slice of red onion was really hard to get through there and I may or may not have put it on the floor and stepped on it to get it through. :) It’s the only way I could get it to cut. 

I’m thinking a whole onion is NOT going to go through there, even with the larger grate. Just a guess. But the smaller stuff was great! I sliced the jalapeño and serrano and placed them on there as well to chop them even smaller and it worked great for those too. 

After all the chopping was done I added a good amount of cilantro (just torn into pieces), juice from a half a lime and then some salt:
simple salsa recipe
DELISH. It is so chunky and fresh and so good. I went a little heavier on the peppers this time and wowza, it is hotter than usual. My father-in-law would be VERY proud of me for that one. 

Fresh Salsa Recipe  

Five roma tomatoes 
Half of a small red onion 
One clove garlic 
Juice from half of a lime 
Cilantro to taste (I like a lot) 
Less than half of serrano pepper 
Less than half of jalapeño pepper (and it was hot!) 
Salt to taste

You could use just a bit of one type of pepper if you don’t like it hot at all. Sometimes I just use some of a serrano and that’s it. 

Overall I actually quite liked this little chopper – it worked really well for the most part. I made the process go much faster for sure and I liked that I could just mix everything in the container. 

Do you have one of these choppers? It came with the Perfect Tortilla Bowl so that may have to be the next review. ;) 
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Comments

  1. I have made my own salsa for so long, I don't even know. But I just use my food processor. I mean, obviously I cut the onions into quarters first if it's a small onion. More like into 8 pieces of it's a big old vidalia (and it usually is)

    I just pulse stuff around until it gets to the consistency we like.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like it chunky like pico, otherwise I would do the same! Much easier!

      Delete
  2. The "As seen on tv' thing I have used for 15 years is Quick n Brite. It's a cleaner that really works better than anything else I have ever used and it's safe. I love it to the moon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My bathroom is the bane of my life - I just had a look at this website and I am going to try it! Thanks for the recommendation!

      Delete
  3. I've never bought an "as seen on TV" product, but I have an unnatural obsession with infomercials (I just LOVE the over-exaggerated "tying shoes is SO HARD" moments - ha!). Anyway, I saw this one and really wanted to buy it, so I love that you reviewed it. I never would have thought to push through slices - great idea. I think I might need to pick up my first TV product. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm glad you tried it so I don't have to! ;^)
    Based on your review/demo, this product would be a 'no' for me. If I have to drag out a knife and cutting board and cut the tomato/onion into slices before I can even use the device, I'd just as soon keep going with my knife. Dicing is easy enough, and I'll have less to wash in the end.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have one like this, an as seen on TV dicer, and it is a life saver when it comes to doing something with all of the onions I get out of my garden. It makes quick work of dicing them all up.

    ReplyDelete
  6. My dad loves the As Seen on TV products. A few years ago he got me a Meatloaf pan and it's so awesome. It has a little insert so that the meatloaf can drain the fat away while it cooks. It really works and the meatloaf doesn't sit in any grease. It also came with a little recipe book that had some pretty good recipes in it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That looks like fun, but then I can't help but thinking that you already have your knife and cutting board out, and you've already done most of the work with the knife already. Why not just chop it up real quick the rest of the way and save yourself having to clean another thing? I mean, I guess for people whose knife skills aren't great (and I'm not saying yours aren't) it might be a real labor saver and worth the extra time and effort, but for people who can slice and chop really quickly wouldn't that just be a silly extra unneeded step? Especially if you have to do it slice by slice and even put it on the floor in order to get some veggies to go through. I'm almost positive you could have done it faster and easier using a knife.

    Well, I guess I'm through being Debbie Downer on your new appliance. Perhaps as you use it more you'll figure out all the tricks and then be able to share it with us in an update post! I'm dying to try your salsa recipe. I just LOVE me some salsa!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love salsa too -- you'll love it. You know, after years of making this, I found it much faster with something like this. Even with the few cuts I made it was super fast to dice them up, much quicker than I can do it. I guess some can do it fast with a knife but I'd lose a finger. :) All the pieces went in the dishwasher so it was easy clean up. I can see using this for fruit salsa too -- it would make really quick work of fruit.

      Delete
    2. Oh, I could definitely see the applications for fruit. Those suckers are just a pain in the butt. Perhaps some enterprising soul could take a file or whatnot and sharpen all the edges, and it'd work just like the infomercials! That would never happen at my house, and it would end up in the back of a closet until I finally purged it.

      Delete
    3. Yup, just purged it after sitting in a cupboard for 3 years. Bought it a BBB. Must have gotten the worst of them, mine just squished stuff instead of cutting. I've gone to chopping with scissors (old hands), along with using them for pizza, stew meat, etc.

      Delete
  8. My theory with the As Seen on TV stuff is that if it really works it'll end up in stores. I know Target has an end cap with this stuff.

    But I agree with everyone else, you've already got the knife and cutting board out, I'd just go all the way ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I LOVE a good infomercial, everything is so DRAMA. Target has the end caps and CVS seems to have a whole aisle they sometimes have "as seen on tv" products I've never seen before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are at most of the stores I go to. Either an end cap or right at the check out. It is hard not to look at them. I do like to watch the TV shows that have the audience try them out, especially when they give a bad review. Not being negative, but reality is nice to know.

      Delete
  10. I have the perfect tortilla bowl set and I love it. I pull them out every time I make taco salads. It beats me making them by hand.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the "nailed it" pic. Such is the way with as-seen-on-TV products. I have gifted the "Slap-Chop" to my brother-in-law with impressive results (though short-lasting interest!).

    ReplyDelete
  12. Williams Sonoma actually makes a version of this but it's larger and I'm going out on a limb and say the blades are sharper, my husband bought it, he's a huge gadget guy, he loves it, and I will admit it works great!! I'm a weirdo because I love cutting veggies and fruits by hand for some reason it's calming to me, I always volunteer to do the cutting for big family get togethers! Thanks for the salsa recipe, I'm going try it out this weekend with the family!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I find it calming also and really enjoy it if I can take my time, so I don't think you're a weirdo ;)

      Delete
  13. Try the Progressive chopper. It's awesome! :) http://www.amazon.com/Prepworks-Progressive-GPC-4000-Vegetable-Chopper/dp/B000F9JP3O love reading your blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love As Seen on TV products too! I just bought an Air Curler and that thing really works!! And it was on clearance for $7 at WalMart!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. We have had the Vidalia Onion Chopper for the last 8 years or so. It looks like a precursor to this gadget. It is the most used tool in our kitchen. I love how easy it makes it to chop onions, tomatoes, etc... and then for the most part it goes straight in the washer... best tool ever. You can usually half a small tomato or quarter it and chop it... cut side down.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh my goodness, I think if I had the money I would have a whole house full of "as seen on tv" products! they make them look so good. I am glad I don't though...I know they NEVer work like they are supposed to. Thanks for the demo....salsa looks yummy.
    Blessings, Joanne

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have something similar, but it seems like it might be sturdier and I'm obsessed with it! All I do is cut my onion/tomato in half and shove it through. And if I'm doing a lot it does become a little game with my son (he gets to step on it). I LOVE LOVE LOVE this tool for getting my onion, carrots and celery all the same size for soup - it just makes it look so nice ;) And no tears with the onions...totally worth it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have a rug runner in the hall that our youngest cat likes to run at, slide and crunch it all up. I bought Ruggies that said it would keep them down - it does NOT. Waste of money.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am laughing so hard and shaking my head! I had a magic bullet back in the day, and it worked great but there were so many pieces it was easy to lose them! I now have a ninja and I love it! I have both the food processor and the blender (gift for mother's day).

    I am married to a chef, so buying any food gadgets is always met with loads of criticism from him. He can make quick work if loads of things and even did a man vs machine (a large robocoup) and won! All, I try to do any meals involving loads of chopping on his nights off. Balthough I am not too shabby in the knife skills department!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I don't have that chopper but I have a few others. My aim is not to chop my knuckles! Just got back from Mexico where every restaurant and bar automatically bring chips and salsa to the table so this was a timely post!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I've always been kind of a sucker for the As Seen on TV stuff, but I never buy it unless I see it in a store. My most recent ASoTV splurge was the sock bun thing. They make it look SO easy. Either I'm an idiot, or it's really not. I usually just end up with a big ol' tangled mess on my head!

    Regarding the chopping-- I went looking for a food processor about six months ago, but when I saw the prices, I was stunned! I guess it's been a LOT of years since I've priced them. Anyway, I picked up the least expensive one I could find-- the Ninja Mini Chopper. And O.M.G. that thing is life changing. You CAN put a half a (reasonably sized) onion in it, and get either nice big chunks, or teeny, bitty pieces. It totally depends on how many times you pulse it. Now I use it for everything from chili, to salsa, to salads, pie dough...you name it. For $20, it can't be beat. For FIFTY dollars, it can't be beat. Ha. And now, I sound like an ASoTV infomercial ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Someone gave us the Magic Bullet (I think that is what it is called?), a blender with a million little gadgets. Meh. I haven't been impressed with it. My sister and my dad LOVE as seen on TV...I love the commercials. I always think they sound so great-then I talk to my hubs and he pops my bubble! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. I have a similar food chopper (made by Pampered Chef) and I love it! Makes chopping onions so much easier!

    We have the As seen on TV tortilla bowl! It's still in the box. I can't wait until you do a review so i can see if it's worth it for me to take it out of the box!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I recently bought the $20 Forever Comfy seat cushion at Walmart. It was more like Forever Unfomfy and felt really hard and awkward because it is so thick. Should have read the reviews but it was an impulse buy and I was going past the display of as seen on TV items. Fortunately, it was easy to return. I don't know why I keep buying this junk, most of it has to go back because it never works as advertised. And God help you if you buy it over the television, from reviews I've read for many items, once those companies sell to you, good luck. I bought a NO-NO from HSN believing what they said, of course they made it look so easy but in reality, it takes a really long time, has a small head and once you are done burning your hair off with the wires on the head you have to use a buffing pad to rub all the little fried hairs off your skin so it's not all bumpy/stubbly. Yep, that one went back too, but fortunately got a return no problem. The people who bought thru the infomercial wrote they had to fight and fight the company to get refunds. Why is this allowed?

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love my Magic Bullet. My sister bought it off the infomercial and got the second one free and gave it to me. I have used it so much, I completely wore out one of the blade attachments. As luck would have it, I found a brand new replacement at Goodwill for 50 cents! Happy, happy! My sister never used hers. I think it stayed in the box forever.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm dying to try that hose that shrinks up when not in use. Anyone? Anyone? My personal fave is the ped-egg. LOVE that thing! Until..... I needed replacement blades and couldn't find them in the stores like I had before, so I just broke down and bought a whole new ped-egg. The blade in the new one was duller than the used, old one! I hope I got a lemon, and they haven't changed the way they make them. If you have dry, cracked heel syndrome (mine appears to be hereditary), the original ped-egg is life changing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have those hoses and I love them!
      http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/no-dig-water-hose-organization.html

      Some commented that they don't hold up over time and get holes in the connector. We used ours for a couple months and didn't have any issues so I hope they'll be working OK this spring!

      Delete
  27. I have the older version of this. The Vidalia Chop Wizard. Bought it at the thrift store for 1.99. Best 2 bucks I've spent!

    ReplyDelete
  28. THANKS TO GREAT DR AISABU FOR SOLVING MY PROBLEMS HIS EMAIL IS (aisabulovespell@gmail.com)

    i was married to my husband for 5 years we were living happily together for this years and not until he traveled to Italy for a business trip where he met this girl and since then he hate me and the kids and love her only. so when my husband came back from the trip he said he does not want to see me and my kids again so he drove us out of the house and he was now going to Italy to see that other woman. so i and my kids were now so frustrated and i was just staying with my mum and i was not be treating good because my mother got married to another man after my father death so the man she got married to was not treating her well, i and my kids where so confuse and i was searching for a way to get my husband back home because i love and cherish him so much so one day as i was browsing on my computer i saw a testimony about this spell caster DR AISABU testimonies shared on the internet by a lady and it impress me so much i also think of give it a try. At first i was scared but when i think of what me and my kids are passing through so i contact him and he told me to stay calm for just 24 hours that my husband shall come back to me and to my best surprise i received a call from my husband on the second day asking after the kids and i called DR. AISABU and he said your problems are solved my child. so this was how i get my family back after a long stress of brake up by an evil lady so with all this help from DR AISABU, i want you all on this forum to join me to say a huge thanks to DR AISABU, and i will also advice for any one in such or similar problems or any kind of problems should also contact him his email is )(aisabulovespell@gmail.com he is the solution to all your problems and predicaments in life. once again his email address is (aisabulovespell@gmail.com)

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    once again make sure you contact him if you have any problem he will help you. his email address is (aisabulovespell@gmail.com) contact him immediately.

    ReplyDelete
  29. THANKS TO GREAT DR AISABU FOR SOLVING MY PROBLEMS HIS EMAIL IS (aisabulovespell@gmail.com)

    i was married to my husband for 5 years we were living happily together for this years and not until he traveled to Italy for a business trip where he met this girl and since then he hate me and the kids and love her only. so when my husband came back from the trip he said he does not want to see me and my kids again so he drove us out of the house and he was now going to Italy to see that other woman. so i and my kids were now so frustrated and i was just staying with my mum and i was not be treating good because my mother got married to another man after my father death so the man she got married to was not treating her well, i and my kids where so confuse and i was searching for a way to get my husband back home because i love and cherish him so much so one day as i was browsing on my computer i saw a testimony about this spell caster DR AISABU testimonies shared on the internet by a lady and it impress me so much i also think of give it a try. At first i was scared but when i think of what me and my kids are passing through so i contact him and he told me to stay calm for just 24 hours that my husband shall come back to me and to my best surprise i received a call from my husband on the second day asking after the kids and i called DR. AISABU and he said your problems are solved my child. so this was how i get my family back after a long stress of brake up by an evil lady so with all this help from DR AISABU, i want you all on this forum to join me to say a huge thanks to DR AISABU, and i will also advice for any one in such or similar problems or any kind of problems should also contact him his email is )(aisabulovespell@gmail.com he is the solution to all your problems and predicaments in life. once again his email address is (aisabulovespell@gmail.com)

    HE IS SPECIALIZE IN THE THE FOLLOWING SPELL.

    (1) If you want your ex back.
    (2) if you always have bad dreams.
    (3) If you want to be promoted in your office.
    (4) If you want women/men to run after you.
    (5) If you want a child.
    (6) If you want to be rich.
    (7) If you want to tie your husband/wife to be yours forever.
    (8) If you need financial assistance.
    (9) How you been scammed and you want to recover you lost money.
    (10) if you want to stop your divorce.
    (11) if you want to divorce your husband.
    (12) if you want your wishes to be granted.
    (13) Pregnancy spell to conceive baby
    (14) Guarantee you win the troubling court cases & divorce no matter how what stage
    (15) Stop your marriage or relationship from breaking apart.
    (16) if you have any sickness like ( H I V ), (CANCER) or any sickness.
    once again make sure you contact him if you have any problem he will help you. his email address is (aisabulovespell@gmail.com) contact him immediately.

    ReplyDelete
  30. The "nailed it" picture gave me a chuckle! My husband and I joke that we want to start a "seasonal food blog" where we review the ridiculous things like pumpkin pie Pop-Tarts that pop up around holidays. Do you think anyone would actually enjoy reading those on my regular lifestyle blog?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would! My husband jokes that I am a marketing department's dream consumer! Just the other day at Wal-Mart I saw "carrot cake" M & M's and came thisclose to buying them until my husband reminded me I don't really care for carrot cake. Btw, pumpkin pie and the sugar cookie Pop-Tarts are gross. These went to my college student daughter (along with gingerbread Twix) and she had a tough time unloading them on poor and hungry friends. We were all disappointed with the gingerbread Twix.

      Delete

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