Fresh tomato salsa
Works in the UK and the US. This version uses US words and measures (stove, cups, °F); the UK version uses hob, grams and gas marks. · UK version of this page
A bright, no-cook dip that teaches dicing, the bridge hold and the claw grip.
- Serves 4
- About 20 min
- No cooking
- Best for: Grades 2–5 (ages 7–11)
- Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 4 tomatoes
- ½ red onions
- 1 lime
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
Cup measures are approximate – weighing is more accurate. Need a different amount? Use the recipe scaler.
Equipment
- chopping board
- small paring knife
- bowl
- citrus juicer
- spoon
Safety first
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds.
- Wash the tomatoes and cilantro.
- Put a damp cloth under the chopping board so it does not slip.
None of the major food allergens are in these ingredients. Always read every label and ask about allergies before anyone cooks or tastes.
Method
- Cut each tomato in half with the bridge hold, then dice it with the claw grip. (Younger children: An adult halves the tomatoes; you scoop out the seeds with a teaspoon.)
- Peel the onion half. Lay it flat side down and chop it finely with the claw grip. Onions can make your eyes water – that is normal. (Younger children: An adult chops the onion.)
- Chop the cilantro leaves (if using).
- Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice into the bowl.
- Add the tomato, onion, herbs and oil. Stir, taste, then add a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Leave it for 10 minutes so the flavors mix. Serve with vegetable sticks or pita.
What this recipe teaches
Knife skills: the bridge hold, Knife skills: the claw grip, Preparing fruit and vegetables, Tasting and seasoning, Presenting food. There is no cooking with heat, so it suits younger children with an adult nearby.
Try the interactive lesson
Step by step: a quick safety check, questions graded by Classfern, timers for each cooking step, then an honest look at how it went – a teacher or parent judges the cooking, and learners rate their own work. Photos of the finished dish stay at home.
Use the code your teacher gave you – never your name. Progress is kept on this device.