I LOVE Mexican food. It is by far one of my favorite cuisines. We usually have a Mexican-inspired dinner at least once a week. I also LOVE dips. So it goes without saying that I really love salsa. I think most meals taste better with some salsa on them. Here are a handful of my favorite salsa recipes. Try them, and then have some fun experimenting with some of your own versions. Salsa is also super fun to make with your kiddos – kids of all ages can help chop tomatoes with a plastic knife or a butter knife (if they are really little), tear up cilantro leaves, or stir in the lime juice. Inviting kids into the kitchen to help make food increases the odds they will eat it, too! Double win!
Basic Fresh Salsa
Makes about 2 cups
2 cups chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped yellow or white onion
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons lime juice (the juice of one lime)
2 garlic gloves, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
1 to 2 jalapeño peppers, stemmed, seeded and minced
1/2 – 1 teaspoon sea salt
optional: 1/2 teaspoon cumin
Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors mingle.
Cool Cucumber Salsa
Makes about 3 cups
1 cup English cucumber, chopped
2 cups tomato, chopped
1/3 cup red onion, chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice (the juice of one lime)
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1 avocado, chopped and tossed with juice of 1/2 of a lime
salt and pepper to taste
Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors mingle.
Tropical Fruit Salsa
Makes about 2 cups
1 cup diced fresh pineapple
1 cup diced mango
½ cup chopped cilantro
¼ cup finely chopped red onion
1 serrano pepper, stemmed, seeded and minced
Juice and zest of 1 lime
2 teaspoon sea salt
Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors mingle.
