Biker Billy’s Red-Hot Pepper Salsa

I'll never forget the morning Biker Billy arrived with twelve biker friends at the Good Morning America studio. Even though I was upstairs in makeup, I could hear their engines roaring as they made their way onto the set. As I donned a black leather motorcycle jacket, Biker Billy whipped up his hot, and I do mean hot, salsa. Grab a hose, dip some chips, and enjoy. Don't be alarmed by the high percentage of calories from fat. Because the total ingredients are low in calories and fat, the 1 tablespoon of oil contributes the bulk of both.

Makes about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups

INGREDIENTS
1 or more fresh long slim red cayenne peppers, stemmed and minced
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
1 cup water

DIRECTIONS
In a large nonstick skillet, cook the cayenne peppers, onion, and red bell pepper in the oil over moderate heat for 5 minutes or until the onion is softened. Add the ground pepper, salt, and water, bring the mixture to a boil and simmer it, covered, for 10 minutes.

Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor, and puree it for 10 to 15 seconds or until no large pieces of pepper remain. Serve warm.

Note: For variety, substitute 1 cup diced roasted red bell pepper for the fresh bell pepper.

Nutritional Analysis per 2 tablespoons: 15 calories; 58% calories from fat; 1 gram of fat; 77 milligrams of sodium

Source: Joan Lunden’s Healthy Cooking by Joan Lunden and Laura Morton