An Introduction to Mexican Salsas | Lifestyle

by KcKudra

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 is actually the best-selling condiment in the United States; while the type discussed above is the one you will tend to see the most often, salsa is something in which there is nearly endless variety available. If you have a low tolerance for spice and heat, do not worry Mexican salsa recipes run the gamut from the mild and flavorful to the fiery, so there is at least one out there, which is certain to become a new favorite.

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!

Perhaps you like Mexican food and are looking for a more restrained Mexican salsa recipe, which will still add a little variety to your table. How about a fruit salsa? Mango and peach salsas are both popular varieties, with the acidity and sweetness of the fruit playing well off of tomato and cilantro and lessening the kick of the hot peppers used. If you have never tried these kinds of salsa before, you are in for a real treat.

If you would like to make your own fruit salsas, you can experiment with different fruits to come up with your own one of a kind fruit salsa recipe. Mangoes are another very popular fruit for this purpose.

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.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

If you would like to find out just how simple it is to create colorful, flavorful, fresh Mexican meals, have a look at MexicanFoodRecipes.org for the tastiest Mexican food recipes. The rich Aztec and Mayan heritage shines through Mexican cookery, as well as Spanish flavors, making it an absolutely delicious cuisine.