When you think of the Southwest you think FLAVOR! But flavor does not have to be calories, it can be done with some great combinations of fruits, herbs, and vegetables.
Here is a simple Pico de Gallo - and for that you need a few simple ingredients:
3 Jalapeño peppers
5 Locally grown tomatoes
1 small white onion or half of a large onion
1 bunch of cilantro
Small amount of Oregano leaves
1 lime
salt
This is great for tacos, it is also the basis for guacamole.
pico de gallo plus guacamole
Pico De Gallo (translates to Rooster's Beak - have no idea why) is like salsa - but has a classic definition of a cold fresh dish served with tomatoes, onions, and peppers. In Arizona we have many home made recipes for this - and many successful business have been made by canning their own variety and selling it.
This is the "secret" recipe of one of my patients who won awards for it-- and it is so simple even I can do it.
Pico de Gallo
The key to heat is the peppers, but they also have flavor. The heat in the peppers comes from the white rind on the inside. Get rid of that and you have more flavor and less heat- or add some. Be careful when you cut and separate these- that pepper can irritate the eye.
A better basis is to have your own garden for herbs and tomatoes and Jalapeño peppers! Having a lime and lemon tree also provides some great fresh citrus flavors.
A better basis is to have your own garden for herbs and tomatoes and Jalapeño peppers! Having a lime and lemon tree also provides some great fresh citrus flavors.
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| The herb garden will provide the cilantro and oregano |
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| Slicing the peppers gives a bit of heat. Its ok to let the seeds go into the mix- it can handle it |
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| Turn the tomato wedge around and slice again |
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| Slicing tomatoes is best with a serrated knife. Cut it into wedges first |
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| Onions are sliced like tomatoes, except using a better knife |
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| Mixing all the ingredients into a bowl |
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| Stir it up |
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| Add a touch of salt to flavor |
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| Add some lime |
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| Now cut the cilantro and add this to the mix |
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| Fresh Oregano- just a bit - adds to the flavor |
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| This is a chunky Pico de Gallo. Some like it much smaller, some use a food processor- but I hate cleaning that up |
10 calories, 2 g carbs, min protein, 0.5 g fiber
Want to make some gucamole? Get two ripe California avocados - slice them, remove the pit. Using a fork mash the insides and spoon out with a fork into a bowl. Add the pico de gallo until you have the consistency you want -- and to think you paid how much for store bought?