Basic Salsa and Dip

My mastered tomato salsa – Salsa Mexicana! During my college years I used to go regularly to the Mexican club restaurant called “Hysteria”, which served the most delicious tomato salsa. Ever since then I am searching for a similar taste and trying to cook it accordingly to how I remember it. Salsa Mexicana is a must and regular in my home. It has very fresh flavour and spice in it. Every time is stunning and little bit different, too.

Total Time: 15 minutes

Shopping List

2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped (spring onion optional)
A splash of olive oil
3 large juicy tomatoes, washed and diced (1 tin of chopped tomatoes optional)
1 teaspoon of ground coriander
½ teaspoon of chilli flakes
1 teaspoon of Croatian Vegeta Spice (sea salt optional)
Juice from ½ lemon
1 handful of fresh parsley, washed and finely chopped

Instructions

Heat up a splash of olive oil in a medium frying pan on high heat. Shallots in and toss for about 2 minutes.

Add tomatoes and season with coriander, chilli and Vegeta. Sprinkle with lemon juice and parsley. Taste and taste.
Just when you think it is perfectly seasoned, add a pinch of all once again (coriander, chilli, lemon juice and vegeta). Now it is perfect!

Let it cool down and serve with nachos. Yummy!

Makes a medium serving bowl.

Cheesy salsa is awesome to combine with any kind of sparkling wine or champagne. This blue cheese sauce is also a perfect base for pasta. Add a pinch of oregano and mix with spaghetti. The whole secret is 2 ingredients only. Therefore, have two good ingredients and success is always guaranteed. Easy, fulfilling and so rich in flavour. For more inspiration check out my Easy Cheesy Spreads Recipe.

Total Time: 10 minutes

Shopping List

100g of crème fraîche
100g of good quality blue cheese

Instructions

Heat up the blue cheese in a medium frying pan on medium heat.

Add crème fraîche and let the cheese melt for a bit (up to two thirds of the stage). Stir and take off the heat.
Let is cool down a bit and serve with nachos.

Makes a medium serving bowl.

The world famous Guacamole dip. Here is my version of a stunning combination of tomatoes, avocado and crème fraîche. Enjoy with nacho chips and snack with me.

Total Time: 15 minutes

Shopping List

1 ripe avocado, peeled and pressed into small pieces
3 cherry tomatoes, washed and diced
1 clove of garlic, crashed and finely chopped
Juice from ½ of lemon
1 teaspoon of crème fraîche
Sea salt and ground black pepper.

Instructions

Press the avocado with a fork. I like the texture smoother with small pieces within.

Add tomatoes and garlic. Sprinkle with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Stir and taste.

Finish with a teaspoon of crème fraîche to smoothen the dip.

Leave the avocado seed in the bowl until serving, so dip does not darken.

Makes a medium serving bowl.

Another tip is for My Easy Garlic Dip. It is beautiful with Nacho Chips, Cheesy Sticks or any roasted meat.

Total Time: 15 minutes

Shopping List

½ cup of Greek white yoghurt
½ cup of crème fraîche
3-4 cloves of garlic, crashed and finely chopped
2 teaspoons of Croatian Vegeta Spice (sea salt optional)

Instructions

Mix all ingredients well (yoghurt, crème fraîche and garlic) until smooth texture. Season with vegeta and taste.

The taste should be strong but not too garlicky (the longer the dip is chilling, the more garlicky it becomes). Taste and taste. Refrigerate before serving.

Makes a medium serving bowl.

Full flavoured Beetroot Salsa – a perfect with nachos or chips. Simply delicous. It tastes wonderfully just like that with a fresh bread.
My tip is a combination of french fries or a portion of scrambled eggs and onion. Just place a good amount of the salsa on a slice of bread and finish with scrambled eggs and chives. Easy, satisfying and impressive at the same time.

Total Time: 20 minutes

Shopping List

1 clove of garlic, crushed, peeled and finely chopped
A splash of olive oil
250g of pre-cooked beetroot, grated
½ teaspoon of cane sugar
A pinch of ground cinnamon
100ml of freshly squeezed orange juice (approximately from ½ orange)
60g of soft cream cheese (for example Philadelphia)
100g of Feta Cheese
Sea salt and ground black pepper

Instructions

Heat up the olive oil in a small frying pan and add garlic on high heat. Smell it out for about 1 minute and stir in the beetroot.

Flavour up with sugar and cinnamon.

Pour in the orange juice and reduce.

Lower the heat to medium and taste. Season accordingly with salt and pepper.

Simmer for about 3-4 minutes and take it off the heat. Let it cool down a bit.

Next, mold the mixture into a hand blender. Add cream cheese and Feta and blend until smooth texture. Taste and taste.

Place the spread into a serving bowl and impress your beloved.

Makes a large serving bowl.

This Salsa has inspired me a lot. Mango and Cucumber, accompanied by fresh dill and sour sweet dressing. Incredibly refreshing, delicious and unusual. Serve with homemade nachos chips or a baked fish, especially a sexy piece of salmon. Yummy – Fresh Cucumber and Mango Salsa.

Total Time: 15 minutes

Shopping List

1 small shallot, peeled and finely chopped
½ teaspoon of cane sugar
A splash of vinegar
1 tablespoon of fresh dill, chopped
1 medium cucumber, washed and diced
½ ripe mango, washed, peeled and diced
Sea salt and ground black pepper

Instructions

Place onion into a small frying pan on high heat. Flavour up with sugar and let it sweat for about 2 minutes.

A splash of vinegar and water in. Reduce.

Sprinkle with fresh dill and take off the heat.

Stir in cucumber and mango. Season with salt and pepper and taste.

Mold the mixture into a serving bowl and enjoy.

Makes a large serving bowl.

Should you be interested in other snacks, dips or spreads, check out my Snack Page. Bon Appetite!