Authored by Stephanie Modkins in Food and Cooking 
Published on 09-03-2009

Want to make the best salsa? Accomplish this feat by taking the basic recipe for salsa and substituting or adding ingredients to it. The element of surprise is usually what turns a ho-hum recipe into a fabulous one. So turn up the fire in your kitchen and be creative. Below are a few ideas. Keep in mind that they all cater to specific kind of taste bud and will work best with different kinds of foods or chips. Under each recipe is a suggested food combination.

Basic Salsa Recipe

• ½ red onion (diced)
• 1 jalapeno chile pepper (diced)
• 1 serrano chile pepper (diced)
• 2-3 fresh tomatoes (diced)
• Juice of one lime
• ½ cup of chopped cilantro
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Optional: Oregano or cumin (to taste)

Black Bean Salsa

Craving something hearty? If so, you can get full off of this salsa recipe. The best thing about this recipe is the texture. To your basic salsa recipe, add 2 15-ounce cans of beans (drained), 1 11-ounce can of Mexican corn (drained), 1 small-diced onion and 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar. Leave out the chile peppers and red onion. Mix well. Chill overnight. Serve with heavy, stone ground tortilla chips.

Tropical Salsa Delight

There’s just something about the combination of sweet and sour that is simply the best. So, to your basic salsa recipe, add 2 cups of peeled, diced papaya, 1 cup of finely chopped red bell pepper, 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar and olive oil. Leave out the chille peppers and onion. Mix well. Chill for 30 minutes. Serve as a relish over steak or with chips.

Garlic Flavored Salsa

If you are a garlic fiend, you will think this salsa is the best because of its spicy flavor. To your basic salsa recipe, add 3 minced garlic cloves, ½ cup of diced red pepper and 1 cup of diced yellow pepper. Mix well. Chill for 30 minutes. Serve as a relish over fish or with chips.

Farmer’s Market Salsa

Health conscious? Then, this salsa is the best one for you. What’s the twist? There is none. Create the basic salsa recipe, but only do it with fresh ingredients. Go to the farmer’s market and get the pick of the day. No cans allowed. Mix well. Chill for 30 minutes. Serve with organic chips.

Super Hot Jalapeno Salsa

For those of you who think the best salsa is one with a lot of heat, you will love this recipe. After one bite, your mouth, throat and belly will be on file. To your basic salsa recipe, add in 2 more diced jalapeno peppers. Mix well. Chill for 1 hour. Serve as relish over a bowl of chili or with chips.

These five recipes are just a few of the best ones you will find for salsa. Again, they are re-mixes of the basic salsa recipe. You can use them as-is or add in your own twists to give them more flavor. Either way, they will be a delight to eat.

Source/Inspiration: Gourmet Salsa Recipe