Thursday, September 17, 2009

An Introduction to Mexican Salsas

By Kc Kudra

What do you think of when you think of salsa? If you are like most Americans, the first thing, which comes to mind, is probably the very mild sauces which are available in a jar at any grocery store or convenience store. This tomato-based, mild flavored salsa is indeed a type which you may see in Mexico, but there is a lot more to Mexican salsas than the Americanized variety you can find just about anywhere.

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.

As it happens, salsa refers to a great number of different condiments and sauces. In fact, the word salsa is simply the Spanish word for sauce. However, when most of use the word, we are thinking of a specific type of condiment used largely in Mexican, southwestern and Tex-Mex cuisines. The world of Mexican salsas is a lot bigger than many of us think, with salsa recipes including a lot of different ingredients and some being quite a bit different than what we usually think of as salsa.

Other than the basic tomato salsa with onions. Herbs and peppers (usually jalapeno or Serrano peppers), you will also find many green salsas (called salsa verde in Spanish) which are made from tomatillos and green chilies. There are also salsas made from ground pumpkin seeds and nuts with chocolate and chilies, salsas made from dried chilies like pasilla and guajillo peppers and even fruits!

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, there just is not enough room here to discuss all of the great Mexican salsas and recipe ideas, which are out there to discover. However, we hope that this article has given you a few ideas and gotten you interested in learning and tasting more. It is fun and easy to make salsa in your own kitchen and you should feel free to experiment with any salsa recipes you want to try. With your own creative spin, you can make some truly unique salsas, which are sure to be a hit when served with your favorite Mexican recipes.

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