MadCookery

I always enjoy a good salsa, but my favorites are always Salsa Fresco.  The clean flavor of tomato, onions, and peppers makes a great dip for chips or an addition to any seafood or meat.  The problems is that unless you know or a deli that makes it fresh it is impossible to get good Salsa Fresco that has the wonderful fresh taste that it should have.  Fortunately there are few things easier to make, and as versatile as Salsa Fresco.  With a few simple rules you can make delicious salsa fresco anytime that is better and cheaper than anything you can purchase.

The basic structure:

1.    Diced Fresh Tomatoes, well drained
2.    Diced Chili Peppers
3.    Diced Fresh Herbs
4.    Diced Vegetables and/or fruits (drained if watery)
5.    Citrus Juice
6.    Salt and spices

The Rules
1.    All watery items should be seeded and well drained (e.g. Tomatoes)
2.    All items should be fresh and not canned or drained
3.    Citrus Juice should be fresh squeezed
4.    All items should be mixed and left to sit for 1+ hours for the best flavor
5.    For best results at least 1 item from each of the categories should be used
6.    Simple is often better than complex.  Meaning that it is better to stick to 1 or 2 vegetables and fruits, 1 type of citrus and simple small amounts of spices.

Basic Traditional Salsa Fresco

Ingredients:

•   tomatoes
• 1 medium Spanish onion
• 2 Jalapeno Peppers
• 4 Tbls Fresh Cilantro, finely diced
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

Instructions:

1. Deseed and dice tomatoes into a small dice.
2. Place Tomatoes in a colander over a bowl and let drain with a pinch of salt mixed in for 30-60 minutes
3. Deseed and finely dice Jalapenos
4. Finely dice onion
5. Add tomato, Jalapeno, Onion, and Cilantro to a bowl
6. Add the lime juice
7. Add the salt and pepper
8. Stir until well mixed
9. Let sit for at least 1 hour at room temperature

This will keep tightly covered and refrigerated for about a week.

You can use this recipe as a basis and then expand on it to your individual taste.  For a delicious fruit salsa try replacing the tomato with a mix of mango and pear.  For a spicier salsa add more Jalapeno or substitute any other type of pepper (a finely cut Habanero adds a wonderful flavor for those who love their food extra hot), or for a milder salsa use less Jalapeno or substitute a milder pepper.  For another incredible flavor use the basic recipe and add well drained black beans and fresh corn.  You can also play with the herbs and spices.  Any combinations you can imagine that go with the core ingredients.  Substitute Basil for the cilantro and lemon juice for the lime juice and you get a salsa that is wonderful served with pasta.  Use you imagination and create the flavor you need to match the meal you are creating.  Keep the basic rules in mind and you will rarely fail.