breast or seared fish fillet is transformed with the addition of a colorful salsa that can either cool you down or heat you up. Salsa is also great for entertaining. While we all know it’s a tortilla chip’s best friend, salsa is also delicious atop toasted baguette rounds, sliced jicama, or fried wontons. The limitless possibilities of your imagination can make creating different salsas so much fun, and are perfect for combining fruits and vegetables in ways you wouldn’t have thought of before.
BY STACEY MORITZ
SALSABILITIES THE POSSIBILITIES FOR SPRINGTIME SALSAS ARE ENDLESS
Tomato-based salsas are always popular, but cilantro and onions aren’t the only way to prepare them. While some might prefer to puree their salsas like those you’ll likely find in your favorite Mexican restaurant, I prefer to hand chop the ingredients to provide texture and visual appeal, making them more versatile. For an Italian-inspired bruschetta, combine chopped fresh tomatoes, basil, minced garlic, and crumbled blue cheese. Serve on toasted bread for a delicious appetizer. To make it a meal, add some toasted walnuts and toss with cooked linguine and a bit of olive oil – a tasty pasta dish that is perfect for a warm, spring evening. This creation is also a tasty topping for flatbread pizzas. For a Mediterranean flair, pair tomatoes with feta cheese, Kalamata olives, chopped artichoke hearts, and fresh oregano – simply delicious when served with pita chips. Add some chickpeas and toss with a bit of olive oil and pasta for a fantastic and protein-rich entrée.
With the winter chill now just a memory, the prospect of visiting roadside farm stands and produce aisles bursting with fresh fruits and vegetables gets me excited to start cooking a whole new way. Hearty, cold-weather soups and stews have been replaced with lighter entrees and tasty salads as we inch toward summer. Bathing suit season aside, spring just begs us to lighten up a bit and focus on fresh and healthy eating.
W
ith so many fresh choices readily available, deciding what to serve your family on a warm, spring evening might seem a bit overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be … in fact, incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into your favorite meals – and in the process, adding tons of flavor and pizzazz – is easier than you may think. How, you ask? In one word – salsa! The “salsabilities” are endless … Fresh salsa offers a taste sensation that can elevate just about any meal because it is not only delicious, but also a beautiful addition to your plate. The best thing about salsa is that you can use whatever fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs you have on hand to create something fantastic with just a few ingredients. A grilled chicken 28
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