» Meet 
Plain tomato salsa is almost as passé as Ricky Martin. What really rocks: Salsas made with a mix of fruits or veggies to kick up the flavor and health quotient. So on Cinco de Mayo -- it's the best excuse yet for a pre-Memorial Day bash -- have a salsa tasting. Guests will think you’re so creative. We've included start-from-scratch recipes and supermarket speed-ups for each plus some healthier-than-average chips for dipping.
AVOCADO SALSA from Chef Rick Bayless
Mixing guacamole and salsa together is an idea made in nutrition -- and flavor -- heaven. Avocados are packed with vitamin E and good fats, but high in calories: 35 per tablespoon. Tomato salsa is low-cal and loaded with cancer-fighting lycopene but no fat, which lycopene needs to get into your body. Combine the two and your body absorbs four times more lycopene. Plus you cut guacamole’s calories by a third.
This break-out-the-grill recipe is from PBS chef and cookbook author Rick Bayless, owner of Chicago’s famous Frontera Grill.
- Roast 2 medium-large ripe tomatoes until blistered and blackened, about 6 minutes per side. Cool. Peel tomatoes, saving the juices.
- Meanwhile, roast two large fresh jalapeno chilies and three unpeeled garlic cloves until soft. Peel garlic cloves.
- In a blender or food processor, blend chilies, peeled garlic, and 1/4 tsp. salt to a coarse paste. Add peeled tomatoes and blend again into a coarse-textured puree.
- Transfer to a bowl and stir in half a white onion, finely chopped; 1/3 cup chopped cilantro; and 6 coarsely mashed avocados.
Supermarket speed-ups: Look for ready-to-go AvoClassic Pico de Gallo style guacamole in the refrigerated section (35 calories, 3 1/2 g fat per 2 Tbs). Or, for a really quick version, just mash avocados and stir in Frontera tomato salsa to taste.
Dip with: Garden of Eatin' Guacamole Tortilla chips (140 calories, 6 g fat per 9 chips) or Madhouse Munchies Blue Corn Chips (140 calories, 6 g fat per 9 chips)
BLACK BEAN SALSA
The black beans give this spicy salsa great texture and about a gram of heart-healthy fiber per tablespoon. Click for the recipe.
Supermarket substitute: Just open and serve Newman's Own Black Bean & Corn Salsa (20 calories, 0 g fat per 2 Tbs.)
Dip with: Kettle Black Bean Tortilla Chips (140 calories, 7 g fat per oz.) or Terra Mediterranean Veggie Chips (150 calories, 9 g fat per oz.)
WATERMELON-LIME SALSA
If watermelon tastes so great in margaritas, it ought to be good in salsa too, right? Right. Plus you get a nice hit of potassium and vitamin C. Plus, depending on the variety, watermelon has as much or more lycopene as tomatoes (seedless red varieties have the most). Click for the recipe.
Supermarket speed-up: Save lots of prep time by buying pre-cut watermelon.
Dip with: Kettle Chili Lime Tortilla Chips (140 calories, 7 g fat per oz.) or Snyder's Multigrain Lightly Salted Tortilla Strips (130 calories, 5 g fat per oz.)
32 Comments
LEAVE YOUR COMMENT
You must sign in to leave a comment