Increasingly, people are wanting to get together again and to celebrate. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy friends and food outdoors. What is easier than chips and dip? A painless homemade dip is this five-ingredient salsa. No laboring over the stove. Just chop a few jalapeños and an onion before opening cans and bottles. Italian dressing adds a sheen and surprising vinegar to this salsa that can feed a crowd. Canned crushed tomatoes, olives and chopped onions round out the flavor. Add more jalapeños if you like heat. There are many variations that are good: add beans, corn or cilantro to make it to your taste. Happy salsa!

Easy Salsa for a Crowd

Ingredients:

• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

• 1 8-ounce bottle zesty Italian dressing

• 1/2 cup black olives, chopped

• 1 large sweet onion, chopped

• 2-3 jalapeño peppers, seeds removed and chopped

• Optional: Cilantro, chopped

Directions:

Mix together and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Serve with tortilla chips.

Makes about 5 cups.

Lynette Lo Tom is the author of cookbooks A Chinese Kitchen and Back in the Day. She wants to hear about your cooking shortcuts. Reach her at lynette@ brightlightcookery.com or @brightlightcookery on Instagram.