Salsa

Salsa, originally uploaded by Kim De.

I dont often blog about prepared products – after all, my purpose here is to share what I make. But once in awhile something comes along that is so great I want to tell everyone. I mean why should I be the only one eating good stuff?

I know it has been mentioned a few times, but I love Mexican food. Not the kind you may be thinking of – the combo of greasy enchilada, crispy taco with beans and rice, all smothered with cheese – but the kind make with fresh ingredients. The kind I miss from my days in Houston. The kind I can cook at home with the help of Chef Rick Bayless and his fabulous cookbooks.

To me salsa is an art form. It is so incredibly simple to make at home and the taste is so amazing, I rarely buy it. But when I got a chance to try a jarred salsa from Frontera, the company owned by Rick Bayless, I jumped at the chance.

Today I opened it to share with Bo and a friend while watching the COLTS WIN (have I mentioned I grew up in Indiana?). I knew the quality would be good, after all Rick Bayless put his name on it. But I was still expecting “jarred salsa”.

I was wrong.

The first thing I noticed was it was thick. Most salsas from a jar are watery. Next thing was the perfectly chopped/minced/pureed ingredients. Now I was intrigued. I took a nice big whiff. Aromatic! Tomatoes, peppers, onions – I could smell the vegetables as individuals, yet they were mixing together somewhere mid air.

Then it came time for the big test. Would it live up to my very-high-foodie-snob standards? I tasted the crisp flavor from fresh vegetables. My tongue felt the smoke from the roasting. There was a nice subtle burn from the peppers and while not quite homemade, it is the closest I have come to from jar. It would be a great addition to your Superbowl Party.

Oh, and did I mention THE COLTS ARE IN THE SUPERBOWL!!!!!!!!