I never realized how much salsa I ate back home. I think I ate it for almost every meal and on almost any dish.
I forgot about coming home to Krys's place, popping open a beer and digging into a bag of tortilla chips and jar of .....well, its been so long I can't even remember which brand I loved. (I'll do some research!)
Well, anyways, I cant find it.
I've completely forgotten what it was called BUT I did find some awesome pics of salsa....here are some for your drooling pleasure.
Phew---I needed a salsa fix. Just looking at the pics brings me joy. I never thought I would have to leave my delicious, multi-flavored friend behind. But alas, I did.
What was even more disconcerting was when I realized that there wasnt any cilantro in this godforsaken country. Maybe even the whole continent! (Later Krys found some in Berlin).
There was a long debate on what WAS cilantro. Many fought for the equvalent to be coriander. I fought that battle and lost. But it ISNT the same. Coriander is like cilantros' bastard brother. It could kick its ass every time.
Nevertheless, I could never get into making salsa. For big parties, sure, but for my everyday use, I just could never get into it. I dont think its the excessive preperation that is off-putting. I think its just my laziness and Americanistic quality to enjoy going to the grocery store, walk down an aisle that has a selection of no less then 30 different types of salsa and go buck wild picking out whatever my heart desires. Basic salsa recipe:
2 cups seeded, chopped tomatoes (6-7 medium tomatoes)
the leaves from one bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped*
6 cloves fresh chopped garlic
1/2 an onion chopped
1 jalapeno, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
about 1 tablespoon lime juice
Preparation:
Mix all ingredients until well incorporated. Refrigerate overnight for maximum flavor. *If you grab a handful of leaves from the top of the bunch and pull them out firmly, you will get mostly leaves. If a few stems are in there, it's okay.
Here is a recipe that an old professor of mine sent me through Facebook (who either isnt on FB anymore or isnt my friend anymore :D) when he found out that we didnt have cilantro:
Like salsa? Here's the recipe we use, it's great: cut 2 medium tomatoes and 1 medium onion into 1/4 inch dice. Add 4 heaped tablespoons of chopped cilantro (or parsley), 3/4 tablespoon salt, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (vary depending on tastes!), 1/2 teaspoon of ground roasted cumin seeds (you can roast 4 or 5 tablespoons of seeds in a pan till they darken, then grind them and store them in a jar -- unroasted cumin doesn't work in this). Mix in a non-metal bowl and enjoy.
-JD
-JD
The roasted cumin is quite nice. But thats what I love about salsa is that its so versitile. You can do just about anything as long as you have some tomatoes.
So, this is just one of the many things I will be gorging myself on when I get back to Florida. Enjoy!
P.S.- If you cant tell already, I love pics!!!
4 comments:
You always liked the Newman's Own brand, the ones with Mango, Pineapple, etc. And of course the awesome pico de gallo that I make! My next step this summer is learning how to can my own salsa. You can help me out! Also I'm quite sure coriander and cilantro are the same thing, just like aubergines are the same thing as eggplant. I think you put up a mental block to coriander! Or maybe it has more to do with the climate effecting the flavor? Either way, we'll have plenty of cilantro waiting for you upon your return.
Google isnt letting me comment....this is a trial run
OK, so my real comment is this:
Ah, now I remember....I was looking for something like Newtons...oooo which reminds me of fig newtons :P Mnam mnam!~
Im definitly in on any projects you'd like to attempt.
Im not sold on the coriander/cilantro dibate. I must find a herbologist :P
Coriander is dried cilantro...or something like that. I remember vaguely something on the Food network about it...and u know I Know my. Food network...
Lol, my faves are Tostinos rest style ( I only recently found this and it reminds me of Chili's salsa which is amazing) or some brand (major label) that had a flavor called Sweet Summer Salsa...I think I bought it the xmzs u were here...could only find it at biglots which makes me think it was discontinued...lol
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