Best Southwestern Salsa Recipes

CAJUN TILAPIA WITH SOUTHWESTERN SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Place corn on the preheated grill and cook, turning often, until charred all over, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate and remove kernels when cool enough to handle.
• Combine corn kernels, avocado, tomato, black beans, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeno in a large bowl. Squeeze 1 lime wedge over top and season with salt and pepper. Store in the refrigerator until cold, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, season tilapia on both sides with Cajun seasoning.
• Melt butter in a medium stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat; cook until just before butter begins to brown. Add tilapia and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Flip and cook for 1 more minute. Tilt the skillet and baste with the butter until fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, about 5 more minutes. Remove fish from the skillet.
• Pour chicken broth into the pan and scrape the browned bits of food off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Whisk in cream. Squeeze in another lime wedge, then taste and adjust for your desired level of tanginess. Bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat.
• Serve fish with cold salsa, adding cream sauce to both, if desired.

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN WITH MANGO-PEACH SALSA

Steps:

• Set up grill for direct grilling over medium-high heat. Oil grate when ready to start cooking.
• Rinse and pat dry chicken breast; set aside.
• In a small bowl, mix together All-Purpose Rub, cumin, and cayenne. Gently pat onto all sides of chicken breasts using all the rub mix; set aside while preparing salsa.
• For salsa: In a medium bowl, toss to combine all ingredients. NOTE: It is easier to dice frozen fruit while it is still frozen. Cover and set aside while chicken cooks.
• Place chicken on hot oiled grill. Grill chicken 5 to 6 minutes per side or until done.
• INDOOR: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare chicken breasts, as directed. Roast chicken breasts in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes.
• Serve chicken hot with salsa.
• Combine all ingredients. Store in air-tight container in cool dry place or freezer.

SOUTHWESTERN GRILLED BEEF SALAD WITH CORN SALSA AND CHIPOTLE DRESSING

Steps:

• For dressing:
• Whisk first 4 ingredients in medium bowl in blend. Gradually whisk in oil. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
• For Salsa:
• Blanch corn in large pot of boiling salted water 2 minutes. Drain. Cool. Cut corn from cob. Transfer corn kernels to large bowl. Add tomatoes, jicama, onion and cilantro and mix. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill.)
• For steak:
• Combine first 4 ingredients in small bowl. Spread spice paste over both sides of steaks. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours.
• For Assembly:
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill steaks to desired doneness, about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer steaks to cutting board and let stand 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add avocado and 2 tablespoons dressing to salsa and mix. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place greens in large bowl and toss with enough dressing to coat. Divide greens equally among 6 plates. Fan some mango slices on 1 side of each salad. Top each salad with 1/2 cup salsa.
• Thinly steaks crosswise. Arrange atop greens. Serve, passing remaining dressing separately.

SOUTHWESTERN BLACK BEAN CAKES WITH SALSA, FRESH CILANTRO, AND KEY LIME PEPPERED MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Coat pan with 2 teaspoons peanut oil.
• Combine beans, salsa, green onions, peppers, cilantro, bread crumbs, garlic, and chipotle sauce in a large bowl and mix well, mashing up the beans. Form 12 small patties (about the diameter of a silver dollar and 3/4 to 1-inch thick) and roll in tortilla breading.
• Heat 2 teaspoons peanut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry patties, in batches as necessary, until golden brown and heated through.
• Serve on bed of salsa or cover with salsa and fresh cilantro. Add a small dollop of Peppered Lime Mayonnaise on top and garnish with a twist on lime.
• Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Refrigerate if not using immediately.

SOUTHWESTERN SHRIMP WITH SALSA

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first seven ingredients. Add the shrimp; seal and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 30 minutes., Meanwhile, cook rice according to package directions., In a small bowl, combine avocado and lime juice; toss to coat. Add the remaining ingredients; gently stir to combine., Drain shrimp and discard marinade. Thread shrimp onto metal or soaked wooden skewers; place on greased grill rack. Grill shrimp, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 6-9 minutes or until shrimp turn pink, turning once. Serve with rice and salsa.

SOUTHWESTERN GRILLED PORK CHOPS WITH PEACH SALSA

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill. In medium bowl, mix peaches, bell pepper, onion, cilantro, brown sugar, lime juice and chile; set aside.
• Rub chili powder on both sides of each pork chop. Place pork on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 6 to 9 minutes, turning once, until pork is no longer pink in center. Serve pork chops topped with salsa, or serve salsa on the side.

SOUTHWESTERN EGG ROLLS WITH SALSA DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• For the egg rolls: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a rimmed baking sheet generously with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, combine the cheese, corn, beans, spinach, chiles, scallions, cumin, chili powder, cayenne and salt. Stir together, making sure to break up the clumps of spinach.
• Have a small bowl of water ready for moistening your fingers.
• Lay one egg roll wrapper out on a work surface and moisten the edges with your finger. Scoop 1/4 cup of the filling into the center of the wrapper; mound into a 1-inch wide log arranged diagonally across the wrapper, with about an inch of space to the corners. Fold the corners over the filling, gently pressing down on either side to secure the fold. Then, starting at one of the unfolded corners, gently but firmly roll up the egg roll. Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat until all of the filling has been used.
• Brush the tops and sides of the egg rolls generously with beaten egg. Bake until golden brown all over, 15 to 20 minutes.
• For the salsa: Meanwhile, pulse the tomatoes, garlic and jalapeno in a food processor until the tomatoes are almost smooth. Add the scallions, cilantro, lime juice and salt; pulse just to combine.
• Serve the egg rolls with the salsa on the side, for dipping.

SOUTHWESTERN SALSA CREAMED CORN

Steps:

• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn, salsa, and crema con sal. Cook until heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Sprinkle with cheese, cilantro, and black pepper. Serve immediately.

SOUTHWESTERN CHEESE GRITS BREAKFAST BOWL WITH AVOCADO SALSA

Steps:

• Bring the 1 1/2 cups water to a boil, whisk in grits and season to taste with salt. When grits return to boil, cover and reduce heat to medium low. Cook for 5 minutes.
• While grits cook prepare the avocado salsa by combining the avocado, onion, pepper and tomato. Sprinkle liberally with lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• When the grits are cooked, remove from heat and stir in cheese and green chili. Cover and allow to rest while cooking the eggs.
• Cook eggs in a lightly seasoned skillet to your liking; i.e., sunny side up, over easy, etc. When finished cooking eggs toss the sliced meat onto the hot pan and toss to just warm.
• To assemble, divide the grits between 2 shallow bowls. Top each with a cooked egg, half the meat and a generous helping of avocado salsa. Sprinkle all with fresh cilantro or parsley if desired and serve.

SOUTHWESTERN CRAB SALAD SALSA DIP

Steps:

• Dice tomatoes,onions and cilantro.
• Combine into bowl.
• Cut avocado into squares, add to bowl.
• Add crab,lime juice and salt to taste.
• Serve with tortilla chips.

SPICY SOUTHWESTERN PRIME RIB WITH SNAPPY POTATO CAKES AND SAN JOAQUIN SALSA

Steps:

• Butterfly the ribs and rub each side with extra-virgin olive oil. Salt and pepper and lightly season the meat with the rub. Heat a large grill pan. Sear and cook the meat in the grill pan over medium heat for approximately 20 minutes. Serve immediately with potato cakes and salmon.
• In a large pot, bring enough water to cover 2 potatoes to a rolling boil. Boil the potatoes in the water until they are soft. Drain the water from the pot and mash the boiled potatoes together. Add the next 7 ingredients to the mashed potatoes and mix all of the ingredients together. Shape the potatoes into patties. Dip each patty in an egg wash and then in bread crumbs. Add vegetable oil to a small saute pan and heat over medium-high heat. Fry each potato patty until golden brown.
• Mix all of the ingredients together in a medium sized bowl and set aside until ready to serve.

SOUTHWESTERN BLACK BEAN AND LETTUCE SALAD WITH SALSA VERDE DRESSING

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients. Pour over salad mixture; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

SOUTHWESTERN GRILLED PORK CHOPS WITH PEACH SALSA

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill. In medium bowl, mix peaches, bell pepper, onion, cilantro, brown sugar, lime juice and chile; set aside.
• Rub chili powder on both sides of each pork chop. Place pork on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 6 to 9 minutes, turning once, until pork is no longer pink in center. Serve pork chops topped with salsa, or serve salsa on the side.

SOUTHWESTERN SALSA AND SPICY CORN CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, combine salsa, cilantro, scallion, and Southwestern marinade mix. Set aside.
• Working in batches, pour a single layer of chips on baking sheet. Very lightly coat with vegetable oil spray. Lightly sprinkle with taco seasoning. Bake for 5 minutes. Repeat until all chips are seasoned.
• Serve chips on a large platter with a bowl of the Southwestern Salsa.

GRILLED SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA

Steps:

• Place chicken between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; flatten to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Rub evenly with olive oil, and sprinkle evenly with chili powder, garlic salt, and paprika.
• Grill chicken, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat (350° to 400°) 4 minutes on each side or until done. Serve with Pineapple Salsa. Garnish, if desired.
• Pineapple Salsa:.
• Stir together first 6 ingredients.
• Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add pineapple slices, and cook 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Coarsely chop pineapple, and combine with red bell pepper mixture.

GRILLED SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA

Steps:

• Place chicken between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; flatten to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Rub evenly with olive oil, and sprinkle evenly with chili powder, garlic salt, and paprika. Grill chicken, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat (350° to 400°) 4 minutes on each side or until done. Serve with Pineapple Salsa. Garnish, if desired. Pineapple Salsa: Stir together first 6 ingredients. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add pineapple slices, and cook 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Coarsely chop pineapple, and combine with red bell pepper mixture.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY SALSA ROLL

Steps:

• Sliced turkey roll stuffed with Monterey Jack cheese can be topped with salsa and is a breakfast that can be made ahead and warmed in 1 minute in a microwave oven before eating.
• Place turkey slices on a counter or plate and sprinkle each slice with cheese. Roll up slices and divide between 2 plates. Microwave each plate on high for 1 minute or until the cheese melts. If not using a microwave oven, place turkey rolls in a toaster oven or on a foil-lined tray under a broiler for 1 minute. Remove plates from microwave and spoon salsa over the top.

QUICK SOUTHWESTERN CORN SALSA

Steps:

• In medium bowl, mix all ingredients except tortilla chips. Serve immediately with chips, or cover and refrigerate until serving time.

QUICK SOUTHWESTERN CORN SALSA

Steps:

• In medium bowl, mix all ingredients except tortilla chips. Serve immediately with chips, or cover and refrigerate until serving time.

GRILLED STEAK WITH SOUTHWESTERN THREE-TOMATO SALSA

Steps:

• Make salsa: In a food processor, puree plum tomatoes, jalapeño, lime juice, and cumin; transfer to a small bowl. Stir in yellow and sun-dried tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat grill to medium-high (see page 367 for instructions); lightly oil grates. Pat dry steaks with paper towels. Season on both sides with salt and pepper. Cover grill; cook, turning once, about 8 minutes for medium-rare. Just before serving, stir oil from sun-dried tomatoes into salsa. Serve steaks topped with salsa.
• To prepare the tomatoes, cut off both ends with a sharp chef's knife, then make a lengthwise cut about 1/4 inch into tomato. Leave blade in place as you rotate fruit, removing core and seedy pulp. Then cut firm outer flesh as desired.