Summer Salsa Recipes

With summer right around the corner you are likely looking for innovative and fresh ways to liven up the old standbys of fish, chicken and other seafood dishes. While in the winter you may be more prone to using heavy sauces or making quick casserole dishes, now that it's summer, it is the perfect opportunity for you to try something new.

Salsa can be just the solution. Not only are they usually lighter in calories and fat, hence making them healthier, but they also make use of the many seasonal ingredients that are around at this time of the year.

Simply whip up the recipe and add it on top of your meat as desired. You can also try it on other food items such as over top of oven baked French fries as a replacement for ketchup for something really different or as a quick topping for a rice dish.

Many will also keep for a few days in the refrigerator, making it the perfect choice for a fast lunch or dinner.

Baby Tomato Salsa

1 pound fresh baby tomatoes

1 jalapeno pepper, chopped with seeds removed

1 medium white onion, chopped

1 small zucchini, sliced

1 fresh clove crushed garlic

¾ tsp salt

½ tsp sugar

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Cook tomatoes if you desire a softer tasting dish (most, since this salsa is normally served cold will prefer them raw). Puree them together with the remaining items on the list, aside from the cilantro. After finished, sprinkle cilantro over the top.

Tropical Fruit Salsa

1 ripe papaya

1 banana

½ pineapple

1 red onion, diced

1 yellow pepper

2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

½ tsp salt

1 tbsp orange juice

Combine fruit, onion and pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt, orange juice and cilantro and mix well.

Peppery Peach Salsa

1 ½ pounds fresh peaches (pits removed)

½ pound nectarines

1 small red bell pepper, chopped

1 diced tomato

4 scallions, sliced thinly

1 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice

½-t tsp sugar

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients until mixed well.

Mango Black Bean Salsa

1 can (15.5 ounces) black beans, drained

½ ripe mango, pitted and sliced

1 tomato, diced

1 green pepper

½ chopped lime

½ tsp grated lemon zest

¼ tsp salt

In a medium bowl combine beans, mango, tomato and pepper. Add in lime, lemon zest and salt once fully mixed.

So if you are stuck for ideas this summer, give one of these a try. If you are looking to increase the healthy fats in your diet, you can also add 1-2 tbsp of olive oil to each recipe. This will give it a slightly different taste however, when added with some fresh fish, will make a nice well-rounded meal. You could also alternatively add some nuts of your choice to the dish to add a crunch texture and give it more flavour. Remember that the ingredients can also be adjusted to your own individual tastes preferences, as can substitutions be used. Be creative with them - that's what cooking is all about!

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