It’s Salsa Time

by Aug 31, 2020ChefOnTheGo, Salad

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Not the dance but the food version…lol … I still want to learn how to salsa though, but for now i will stick to making it. So what i may call a salsa may not be the same in your terms. Let me explain…. So a basic chopped onion and tomato with some seasoning will be considered a salsa… Yes and Yes,but..

Let us break it down a little. So there are 6 popular types of salsa. Salsa takes on many different forms as you might expect from a dish that has been around for thousands of years in one form or another.

1. Pico de gallo

Pico de gallo is an uncooked salsa ,also called a salsa cruda and made with fresh ingredients. Contains tomato, onion, and peppers along with cilantro and lime juice. You can make it hot with the addition of your favourite chilli, depending on your heat intensity. It is possible to eat pico de gallo as a dip but it is not a liquid or even a paste, which means that it is not ideal for that purpose. Pico de gallo works best when you use it to top tacos and various other Mexican dishes. You can even eat it by itself as a refreshing salad alternative. This is the form i am used to .

2. Salsa roja

With a name that means “red sauce”, salsa roja is one of the better known Mexican salsas. It is made with ripe red tomatoes to give it its bright vibe. Most recipes will include onions, garlic, and chili peppers. Salsa roja is traditionally used as a condiment for tacos and burritos. It’s also used as a topper for meats like chicken and beef.

3. Salsa verde

Usually green from the use of tomatillos instead of tomatoes. The typical salsa verde ingredients include peppers, onions, and cilantro.Note that while tomatillo salsa is what is most often referred to as salsa verde, some people consider other green sauces like chimichurri sauce to also fall into the salsa verde category. Chimichurri sauce is a bright green Argentinian sauce made with cilantro and parsley.

4. Salsa criolla

Unlike the other salsas on this list, salsa criolla is red onion-based rather than tomato-based. Other ingredients include peppers and cilantro. A salsa criolla will also have lime juice as a source of acidity .You determine how hot it is by how much of the pepper you add. You serve salsa criolla primarily as a side dish, though it also works as a condiment.

5. Salsa taquera

Taco sauce is what this salsa’s name translates to and it is traditionally served at Mexican taco stands. Known for being spicy. While its main function is as a taco condiment, it works as a dip as well. Use it like salsa roja or any of the standard salsas.

6. Salsa ranchera

This version literally brings a punch through roasting the tomatoes for a smokier, more savory flavor. Bringing additional umami notes to the mix is Worcestershire sauce, called salsa inglesa. Salsa ranchera is best known as the type of salsa used to make huevos rancheros, but you can use it like any other tomato-based salsa — as a topping or a dip.

Here is my version of the Pico de Gallo:

PICO DE GALLO

Ingredients

  •  Small handful Cilantro
  • 2 Peppers of choice – jalapenos if you like it, hot or medium hot
  • 2  tomatoes
  • 1/2 Red onion
  • 1 tbsp Lime juice
  • 1 Salt

Instructions

  1. Chop into small cubes, combine and season.

So i did not have peppers and cilantro on hand, so i added cucumber instead for color and crunch. Had some chilli flakes which i added for a little kick. Who says you have to stick to the script. Just dance it out…hehehe!!

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The Chic Chef – Rufaro Chaniwa

Founder and Pastry chef of Africake Bar and lover of all confectionaries and chocolate. Graduate from Capsicum Culinary Studios , South Africa.

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