An Introduction to Mexican Salsas
September 21, 2009 by Kc Kudra
Filed under Weight Loss News
When it comes to salsa, there are many of us whose salsa expertise begins and ends with the big brands that you will find in any grocery store across the US. These salsas are mostly tomato-based and tend to be relatively mild in terms of heat; while these salsas can be quite good, there are many other salsas to experience. It is true that you will find plenty of mild tomato salsa in Mexico as well, but Mexican salsas offer so much variety that it would be a shame not to explore further. You can even make your own salsas at home with ease!
Salsa has become very popular in the past few decades, finally eclipsing even ketchup as the best selling condiment in the US. Of course, most of this salsa is the mild grocery store salsas we spoke of earlier; but you should definitely branch out and discover some new favorites as well. Many Mexican salsa recipes call for a little more heat than you may be accustomed to, but there is a salsa for everyone from the chili lover to those who cannot take much in the way of spice. Of course, when you make your own salsa, you can adjust the heat level to your own tastes.
Salsa is actually a general term; the word simply means “sauce” in Spanish. Of course when we in the states say salsa we are thinking of a certain kind of sauce used as a condiment for Mexican dishes and as a dip – but there are a lot of different kinds of salsas out there made from an incredible variety of ingredients.
You will find many tomato salsas, generally including jalapeno or Serrano peppers along with onions and herbs, green salsas made from tomatillos (small green tomatoes) and green salsas which are much spicier, made with a base of pureed green chilies. You will also find chilies made with ground-dried chilies like guajillo, pasilla and others and even salsas that are somewhat reminiscent of pesto, being made from a base of ground pumpkin seeds and nuts!
For those looking for Mexican recipes like a milder Mexican salsa recipe, which offer something, a little bit different, a fruit salsa may be in order. Peach salsas are especially popular, with the sweetness and tartness of the peaches and tomatoes complimenting each other perfectly.
You can also make your own fruit salsas at home. While mangoes and peaches are both great choices, do not be afraid to experiment and find your own combinations. Pineapple, avocado, and other fruits can all be used in salsa with delicious results.
One of the easiest salsas to make is pico de gallo. The name means “rooster’s beak” in Spanish and can be made in almost no time at all. You may have tried this salsa yourself in a restaurant; but it is easy and quick to make at home and it is an ideal complement for many Mexican dishes as well as being a great dip for tortilla chips. The recipe is very simple, calling for diced tomato, onion and jalapeno along with cilantro and a little limejuice. It is simplicity itself, but incredibly good.
Unfortunately, we do not have nearly enough time to tell you about all of the many variations on Mexican salsas which you could try at home. These ideas can get you off to a good start; with a little research and a little experimentation in your kitchen, you are sure to come up with some of your very own salsa recipes, which can add a little variety; and a little spice to your own Mexican creations.
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