Simple Salsa and My Mexican Food Experience
Do you have a favorite salsa recipe?
Mine is SO simple!
I chop a few tomatoes into small pieces, add about half a chopped onion, and add one finely chopped jalapeno pepper. Can’t get much simpler than that! Still, it totally satisfies me.
At one time I didn’t know much about Mexican food. My mother never cooked it. NEVER.
Then when I was about 23 years old, I had a Hispanic boyfriend. I say Hispanic instead of Mexican because he’s never been in Mexico. Maybe today the preferred term is Latino. I don’t know… Hispanic always sounded okay to me. Anyhow, he took me home to meet his parents… they were living in Chowchilla, California at the time. His mother made dinner … and I sat down to a meal like nothing I’d ever had before.
I was doing okay with the food - all vegetarian, my favorite! She gave me homemade pinto beans and fried potatoes on a paper plate, and then plunked down a flour tortilla right next to that. Oh my goodness! I had NO IDEA what to do with the tortilla! I had to sit there watching my boyfriend eat so I’d get an idea of what to do with it. He tore it into tiny pieces and used it to pick up the other foods!
That was my introduction to Mexican food. A few months later I MARRIED this guy, and actually LEARNED to cook Mexican foods. Then in 1985 we divorced… but I still love the Mexican food!
Have you ever noticed how much better home cooked pinto beans are? I mean, better than the ones coming out of a can? WOW, the taste differential is astounding!
I like to cook beans about once a week… usually black beans, pinto beans, or lentils. I often combine the lentils with rice. This is my burrito filling. At this point I’ve weaned myself off of cheese so all I put into my burritos is the beans, salsa, and sometimes potatoes, rice, or lettuce.
I also have the habit of warming my tortillas just like my mother-in-law did… directly over the flame of a gas burner. I’d be so lost with an electric stove! My now-boyfriend insists on frying his tortillas in a frying pan with butter. Not for me! I toss mine directly on a fully-lit burner and count to ten, then turn them over, count to ten, wait for the bubbles to emerge, and that’s it. No butter, no extra calories.. no mess.
Can you tell I love burritos? I’ve been eating them a lot lately… often alongside a mug full of my amazing and delicious vegetable soup. (The soup will have to be another posting… some other day.)
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Also: Happy First Day of Spring… Joyous Spring Equinox… and for the Persians and Baha’is: Happy Naw Ruz!
I widely recommend Pico de Gallo as a complement for your meals. easy and delicious. It goes well with plenty of dishes.
Comment by Mexican Breakfast — Monday, March 23, 2009 @ 3:10 pm
That part about the tortilla sounds like how some indians used to eat. I can’t remember which tribe, but the indians in the story She Who Remembers ate with tortillas that way. That was always my favorite part of the books, when they ate! They’d make fresh tortilla on a hot stone.
Comment by Sunny — Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 5:01 pm
i always o mexican dishes on a sunday and my son loves it. my husband too.
Comment by inowweb — Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 8:36 am
In our family, we usually go for something rather lazy. We just mix Rotel tomatoes into crushed tomatoes and call it salsa.
Comment by Adam @ Goji Juice — Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 8:51 am
My dads homemade tacos are amazing, they need to bring him in as creative chef at taco bell lol
Comment by debt settlement program — Friday, March 27, 2009 @ 7:06 am
You had my mouth watering when I got to the mug of veggie soup. I can almost smell it!
I tend to make my own salsa too (or, erm, my own version of it, anyway!). I love the smell when I’m making it. I like my salsa really chunky and hot so I’ll mix tinned tomatoes with lots of chunks of fresh tomatoes and green peppers. I use hot pepper sauce instead of jalapeno and I also add finely-chopped garlic. I love mangoes so I add a bit of that too.
Will be passing by your blog again to salivate over (and try) some of your wonderfull recipes.
take care and have a good weekend whatever you’re eating!
Comment by Purdue — Friday, March 27, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
Yeah they differ from place to place
all taste good
Comment by Online Hindu resource — Wednesday, April 1, 2009 @ 8:59 am
I like tortillas and tacos with lots of thinly sliced cabbages and tomatoes. For my guests, I sprinkle a lot of grated cheese and put in a lot of finely chopped roasted beef inside. For myself, I add some more chopped red and green bell pepper. Thanks for sharing such simple salsa recipe.
Comment by Roselyn @ TaiSlim — Saturday, April 4, 2009 @ 1:52 am
I agree Beans from a can cannot compare to fresh homemade beans!
Comment by Scentsy — Wednesday, April 8, 2009 @ 10:07 am
That is actually a really good recipe, very close to what we call pico de gallo. Good job!
Comment by Pozole Blanco — Friday, April 10, 2009 @ 8:12 am
Oh, I love mexican food. Last time ist was spicy like fire but it was still delicious.
Comment by Brust — Monday, April 13, 2009 @ 1:45 am
I agree with your assessment of salsas. There is definitely something beautiful in simplicity, and that can easily extend to the culinary arts
Comment by ephemeral mists — Saturday, April 18, 2009 @ 10:24 pm
Since you’re a herbal practitioner I
want to say that I read recently in net that Asians like Indians and Chinese who use spices like cardamom,
ginger etc. in their food are less vulnerable to various heart problems and other diseases than Americans and Europeans who prefer meat and other types of food.
Anyway I do like mexican dishes.
Comment by KY's Commonwealth Eye Surgery — Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 1:21 am
Mexican food is my favourtie… I love how so much can be done with the same few essential ingredients. I love burritos but a nice quessidila, fajita or taco can be just as good.
Comment by Matt @ Website Design — Thursday, April 23, 2009 @ 4:23 am
I’ll be cooking this very simple salsa recipe for our lunch tomorrow. I’ll pour the concoction over freshly-fried fish before serving with steamed rice. I’m sure the dish will be yummy! Thanks for sharing
Comment by Rose@Legal Articles — Saturday, April 25, 2009 @ 5:30 am
I don’t think you can beat using fresh tomatoes, ones you’ve grown yourself are the best taste.
Comment by Singles Holidays — Monday, April 27, 2009 @ 3:21 am
Details of the lives of people touched by the most
Comment by China wholesale — Tuesday, April 28, 2009 @ 11:27 pm
Yes,I do think simple is good,life is simple.
Comment by Joh — Monday, May 4, 2009 @ 7:18 pm
I haven’t eaten Mexican cuisine, and the opportunity to learn of your experience, to try?
Comment by sunrainey — Thursday, May 7, 2009 @ 6:00 pm
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Comment by Maple Leafs — Wednesday, May 13, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
Great post. Everything is simple and understandable. Salsa time!
Comment by Snow Vacation — Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:53 pm
ok, this post made a me a bittle hungry…. thansk for the share also
Comment by ecommerce — Thursday, May 28, 2009 @ 4:58 am
I read the post and have to go make some salsa or buy some.
Comment by Jason — Saturday, May 30, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
It’s virtually impossible to get your hands on a real burrito over here in Germany.. too bad, I want one right NOW!
Comment by Ratenkauf — Tuesday, June 2, 2009 @ 11:59 pm
ahhh soundssss soo gooooood. Going to try it out in a couple days =)!!!!!
Comment by gabriel harding — Friday, June 5, 2009 @ 6:34 pm
New Mexico while we’re at it? I know real Mexican food is a lot different from its American… , tomatillo based sauce, food is milder, more Americanized… lots. Real, honest, authentic Mexican tacos! Soft corn tortillas
Comment by Baby Boy Gift — Saturday, June 6, 2009 @ 7:55 am
Hello, This is my first visit to your blog and after reading your post I can’t leave without commenting.
I’m going to add your blog in my Google reader as I will be keep visiting your blog.
Regarding the post I’m a big lover of Mexican dishes besides Chinese and Indian dishes.
Thanks
Comment by Sourav — Saturday, June 6, 2009 @ 8:56 am
I’m loving tortillas and tacos too especially if it’s my hubby who made it. It’s nice to pair with margarita.
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Comment by Scratch Guy — Tuesday, June 9, 2009 @ 2:23 am
tortillas and tacos are the best food in the world.
Comment by Gemstone Jewelry — Friday, June 12, 2009 @ 9:24 am
Sound yummy huh.
is it perfect for diet.
One of my specialty is KARE-KARE
its a native food.
I Love its taste and smell.
Comment by Martha Kings — Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
I recommend frijoles charros, is a delicious mexican food with lots of jalapeño!!
Comment by Susan jones — Thursday, June 18, 2009 @ 7:08 am
Linda,
Fun post. Chowchilla huh? I grew up in Fresno and now live in the little cow town, Oakdale. I’m curious what little mountain town you live in. My husband and I grow a salsa garden every year. We grow our tomatoes, cilantro, onion, and jalapeno. It’s always a challenge keeping the lizards from eating everything. Take care!
Comment by Toy Kitchen — Tuesday, June 23, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
“I widely recommend Pico de Gallo as a complement for your meals.”
With you on that one.
Cheers
Comment by NZVel — Thursday, June 25, 2009 @ 5:34 pm
i enjoy my mom’s Mexican food!!! Yummm!!
Comment by Shawn — Friday, June 26, 2009 @ 3:52 am
I do love burritos but I cannot allow eating all the time cause I got some gastric reflux problems at the moment. Hope it is gonna be cured soon and I will be a burrito lover again.
Comment by OC — Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 5:54 am
You must own an absolutely the simplest food! I am glad you like them as well because my family always enjoys Mexican dishes, nearly once a week. Really delicious!
Comment by AliceIacuzzo — Tuesday, June 30, 2009 @ 5:37 pm
I like Mexican food too - it’s rare that I get the opportunity to have homemade Mexican food though.
Thanks for the recipe, I’ll have to give it a shot.
Comment by Jayson — Thursday, July 2, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
Hi there! I enjoyed my visit to your blog and tried to leave a comment there but it gave me an error message!
Most of the recipes I post here are incredibly simple . . . I like quick easy meals and I figure others do too. Especially if you have kids!
Comment by Linda — Friday, July 10, 2009 @ 11:29 am