avocado shrimp salsa
Generally, salsa has been a staple in any occasion such as dinner parties and family reunions as it has been paired time and time again with different types of chips but usually corn chips. Serving salsa has been so popular to serve in gatherings due to the fact that it’s easy to prepare and at the same time, it’s easy to eat and enjoy while talking to your friends, relatives and to others who are in the party.
Though salsa has been constantly served with chips and oftentimes, it’s classified as a dip. But do you know that salsa can be included as a side dish to many different dishes? Have you ever thought of what other food go well with salsa to spice up your parties even more?
Salsa can be likened to wine as different types of salsa can go well with different types of food. For instance, a tropical mango-based salsa goes well with fish while avocado-based salsa is great when served with pork. Salsa, when served with the right food, can help parties to get even better.
Here are a couple of salsa recipes that you can use as well as ideas of what food to serve them best with.
Corn and Tomato Salsa
1 cup fresh corn kernels (from 2 small ears) or frozen, thawed
1 large tomato, seeded, chopped
2/3 cup chopped red onion
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ to 1 jalapeno chili, seeded, minced
1 avocado, pitted peeled, chopped
Fresh cilantro sprigs
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, cover and chill before serving.
Corn and tomato salsa goes well with grilled steaks like rib eye and porterhouse as the corn in the salsa mixes well with the beef. Its taste gives a new dimension of flavor to the beef. On the other hand, the mango and tomato salsa where a recipe of this side dish is shown below goes well with crispy coated fried shrimp.
Tomato and Mango Salsa
1 small mango
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
1/3 cup chopped onion
¼ cup minced fresh cilantro
1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice
Carefully peel skin from mango sections attached to the seed. Slice flesh from seed and chop it to measure 1-1/2 cups. Combine ingredients in small bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Now that you know which salsa to serve with what dishes, you can serve them in whatever gathering you may have to make it a more lively and memorable occasion.
About the Author:
A good salsa recipe can spice up a meal and add a little life to your next party. And while it’s easy to find salsa at any grocery store, it’s just not the same as a homemade salsa you make yourself. Making a salsa from scratch is actually quite easy. With the right salsa recipe and just a little preparation time, you can create a good homemade salsa that will have people coming back for more. Mexican food and salsa lover John Weisenberger has put together a delicious collection of tried and true Homemade Salsa Recipes that will get you started. Check them out at http://www.Homemade-Salsa-Recipes.com.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Homemade Salsa Recipes: How to Prepare and What Dishes to Pair It with
Mexican food is very popular in the U.S., despite the general belief that Mexican cuisine is high in calories. As a matter of fact, authentic Mexican cuisine uses fresh, highly-nutrient ingredients and can provide you with a lot of healthy choices. But, as everything is super-sized in America, so has happened with the Mexican food. Portions have grown larger and recipes have grown fattening, which is what most Mexican restaurants and fast food chains serve in the U.S.
Some great Mexican meals such as tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos are prepared with fresh produce, corn, fresh tomatoes or tomatillos, avocado, beans, rice, mushrooms, corn tortillas and nutritious spices such as chilies, cinnamon, garlic, cumin and cloves.
If you want to avoid the Americanized versions of Mexican food that are high in fat, calories and sodium, you can prepare healthy Mexican food at home. In some very easy and quick steps you can taste highly nutritional Mexican meals in no time.
Here are some tips for cooking healthy Mexican food at home:
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the main ingredient of Mexican salsas. Rich in lycopene, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C, tomatoes reduce the risk of several types of cancer and their protective effect is highly beneficial.
Pico de gallo is the most famous Mexican salsa. All you need is 2 large fresh tomatoes, 1/2 large white onion, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, minced fresh chile, 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, salt and freshly ground black pepper. It can be prepared in 15 minutes and it contains all the natural ingredients that contribute to your overall wellness.
- Beans
Beans contain high amounts of proteins and fiber and provide antioxidant benefits. The best variety are the pinto or the black beans that are low-fat, low-calorie. Instead, the refried beans that are usually served in the Mexican restaurants are totally unhealthy and should be avoided.
For a bean salsa, you cook pinto or black beans and then you add onion and 1 teaspoon of cumin. After 30 minutes is ready for you to enjoy.
- Corn
Corn has extraordinary health qualities because it is rich in folate, vitamin B, vitamin C and fiber. It contributes to heart prevention, it helps in better digestion and it stabilizes blood sugar levels. Bake 12 6-inch corn tortillas with 1 tablespoon of canola oil in 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes and you can enjoy a really delicious and healthy food that goes with homemade guacamole, pico de gallo or avocado salsa.
- Avocado
Avocados contain high quantities of vitamin K and potassium that lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL).
For a great guacamole sauce all you need is ripe avocados, chopped tomatoes, salt and pepper. For the salsa, add chili peppers, garlic, onions, lime and cilantro to make the taste more intense.
- Chilies
Chili peppers are rich in capsaicin that promotes anti-inflammatory and pain-relief qualities. In addition, chilies reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases because they lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and they contain vitamin A. In most of the Americanized Mexican restaurants you will hardly find real chilies, so it’s better to prepare your own homemade Mexican meal.
If, however, you prefer going out to a Mexican restaurant, you still have healthy choices.
- Avoid the chips
Chips that are served before the meal are a dieter’s nightmare. Normally, they are full in sodium, which means that, not only they increase the levels of water weight, but they also increase blood pressure. Avoiding the chips may save you an extra 200 calories of fat. Instead, you can eat as mane carrots or celery sticks you want with the salsa dip.
- Avoid sour cream and extra cheese
Sour cream and extra cheese are nothing more than extra fat and calories. Sour cream is a basic topping in Mexican food, used in all meals to add a smooth taste. But if you are on a diet, you should avoid it. If you’re looking for protein sources, you’d better go for black beans, grilled shrimp or grilled chicken and avoid cheese.
- Prefer corn tortillas
Corn tortillas may save you an extra 200 calories of fat that you would gain if you ordered flour tortillas.
- Prefer grilled food
Order grilled chicken or meat rather than fried. For instance, fajitas have a great taste flavor and are lower in calories and fat than enchiladas and tacos that are fried.
- Cut your portion in half
Do not eat all your lunch. Cut it in half and eat it later in the week. Cutting back the portion size automatically means 200 calories less, which consequently means healthy eating in terms of fat.
The main advantage of Mexican food is that most Mexican meals can be adapted to your eating habits. So, either at home, or at a Mexican restaurant, you can add the ingredients you like and enjoy really delicious and healthy dishes. Without a doubt, Mexican food is a great temptation. But if you want to derive the healthy benefits of true Mexican cuisine, offer to yourself something authentic.
About the Author:
I work as a financial and investment advisor but my passion is writing, music and photography. Writing mostly about finance, business and music, being an amateur photographer and a professional dj, I am inspired from life.
Being a strong advocate of simplicity in life, I love my family, my partner and all the people that have stood by me with or without knowing. And I hope that someday, human nature will cease to be greedy and demanding realizing that the more we have the more we want and the more we satisfy our needs the more needs we create. And this is so needless after all.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Tips for eating healthy Mexican food
