let's salsa.

"when i write of hunger, i am really writing about love and the hunger for it, and warmth and the love of it . . . and it is all one. " ~ m.f.k. fisher

well, i don't know what this has to do with anything, but i am OBSESSED with hot & spicy things. this is very funny, because 5 years ago i could barely make it through the first five layers of a fireball without taking a break for bread & water. it all started with a shared basket of hot wings, heavy on the ranch. then later my interest was peaked further when i lived in california and became INVOLVED with salsa...all varieties - mango, tomatillo, fresca - YUM!

when i moved home from california, everything was a little bland - overprocessed, overpriced & not organic...i missed the produce, henry's market, dinner parties & sunday breakfast with emilia's dill eggs & potatoes. so i started to put salsa on everything and usually a healthy portion of pepper jack cheese. my parents do not recognize this person, but they like the added spice in their food, even though my dad sometimes will ask me to make it "regular" without the "extras" - you know: garlic, red pepper flakes, cumin, more garlic, etc.

last week, however, i was out of salsa. i had already made my breakfast eggs - all buttery and half runny with a pepper jack & cheddar mix melted over the top...i was not a happy camper. so i did what all desperate people would do - i searched the pantry 3 times, then the fridge and then i saw the hot sauce - GOTCHA! i drizzled a little over some ketchup and who knew i was about to find my new favorite. lucky for me frank's hot sauce is gluten-free, now if only i could find some wings at a restaurant that were too (and ranch dressing for that matter...)!

so, in honor of my new love and ever-evolving firey tastebuds, i'm heating up your tuesday with some salsa recipes collected in my travels. both of these change everytime i make them (i keep adding mostly!) i like my salsa full 'o stuff, so delete & add as desired, all seasonings are to taste. i hope you feel inspired to top your eggs, potatoes & pork chops with some of this goodness.

mango salsa
2 mango sliced, peeled & diced
1 seedless cucumber, peeled & diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1 bundle cilantro, roughly chopped
1-2 lemons, juiced
salt & pepper & coriander (to taste)
black beans or garbanzo beans (optional)

salsa fresca (this is fun to say)
5-7 plum tomatoes, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1 bundle cilantro, roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbl. apple cider vinegar
1-2 lemons, juiced
salt & pepper diced
jalapeño or anaheim peppers (take out ribs & seeds so it won't be too hot OR add a few shakes of hot sauce to taste)
jicama (if available), peeled & diced
corn (straight from the cob if possible, but there are some great frozen varieties available too!)
black beans or garbanzo beans (optional)

FYI - this is a really fun thing to make before a party with your friends, everyone can chop and talk while you cry over the onions & garlic!

all this talk makes me miss days & beaches like this...