Salsa Brava

SALSA BRAVA

1 MEDIUM ONION, FINELY CHOPPED

1 T OIL

4 CLOVES GARLIC, FINELY CHOPPED

1 FRESH HOT RED PEPPER, DESEEDED AND FINELY CHOPPED

1/4 TSP CAYENNE

1 TSP SMOKY PAPRIKA

1 T TOMATO PASTE

28OZ TOMATOES, SKINNED AND CHOPPED

2 BAY LEAVES

1 1/2 TSP SALT

PINCH SUGAR

1 TSP RED WINE VINEGAR

SWEAT ONIONS IN OIL OVER MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL TRANSLUCENT.

ADD GARLIC AND PEPPER AND COOK FOR ANOTHER MINUTE.

ADD REMAINING INGREDIENTS EXCEPT VINEGAR AND SIMMER FOR 30 MINUTES.

ADD VINEGAR AND ADJUST SEASONING.

BLEND SMOOTH.

USE FOR PAPAS BRAVAS OR TO SPICE UP CHICKEN OR FISH.

YOU CAN USE A CAN OF CRUSHED TOMATOES, BUT FRESH IS BETTER. SUBSTITUTE CHIPOTLE FOR FRESH PEPPER FOR MORE SMOKINESS.