April 2, 2007

Some Salsa with that Flash?

I love spicy food.  Well, as long as I can still taste the food.  That is posing a bit of a problem for me these days because it seems that spicy food ratchets up the frequency and intensity of anyone who is going stark raving mad from hot flashes.  But I'll go up in flames before I stop eating spicy food.  So it isn't coincidental that I got little sleep last night after  we had great salsa with our carne asada and rice.  We always have several kinds of salsa in the house:  bottled, canned, green, red, chunky, or sauce-like.  It doesn't matter because there are too many things made better by a bit of salsa, whether you're flashing at night or not — that's hot flashing.

I've tried a few recipes just to see what others are putting together and occasionally after trying them, I'll hang on to one or two.  But it's so easy to make and adjust, there's no need for a recipe.  And if you're someone who usually has tomatoes in their garden, picked fresh after being in the sun on a warm day, what are you waiting for?

 For a small bowl full:

6 coarse chopped Roma tomatoes
4 thinly sliced green onions
1 diced jalapeno w/ seeds and all
1 c. chopped cilantro
1 lime squeezed
salt to taste
(or more or less of all of the above depending on your own tastes)

It improves with standing so let it sit a bit.  It also becomes more juicy after the salt addition, so keep that in mind.

Scoop it up with salty tortilla chips and some guacamole.

 Less spicy:

  • remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeno
  • or, roast the jalapeno by laying it on the fire of your stove until the skin gets black.  Then peel off the skin after letting it sweat a bit
  • or, purchase red jalapenos, and do all of the above.

More spicy:

  • use Serrano chilies or a habanero if you dare…

Salsa Salad:

  • add diced cucumbers, and avocados to the mix, and serve over a bed of shredded romaine lettuce.

Salsa seafood salad:

  • add the salad ingredients above, and include grilled shrimp that has been marinated in olive oil, garlic, and lime juice.

Salsa Omelet:

  • Add cheese, bacon, and avocado to the omelet, then top with salsa when done.

The list is endless.  Don't forget to cozy up to a margarita!