I lived in Guanajuato, Mexico for a year and a half as an English teacher. My husband and I decided to move there after vacationing there with friends. We spent a year saving and preparing and then took off on one of the most amazing adventures of our lives. It was an important time in my life and it was a fun time too... I changed a lot while I was there and I learned many things as well.
Here are just a few of the many things I learned:
how to light the pilot light on a hot water heater
how to speak Spanish well enough to get by
the best way to get around a donkey that is blocking your path
the most delightful way to spend a rainy afternoon
how to wash cloths on a roof top
where to find the best taco stand
how to cheer on my favorite soccer team in Español
how to drink out of a plastic bag
the best ways to truly relax
how to find a reason to party EVERYDAY
the best way to choose an avocado
and last but certainly not least.... how to make Ceci and Corina's salsa
Most of these things I can't really share in a simple blog entry... (except perhaps for how to light a pilot light)...because most of these things you have to discover for yourself... but I can share Corina and Cecilia's recipe for salsa with you....
Ceci and Corina came from Mexico City and they lived with us during our last few months in Mexico. They were great friends and excellent roommates and they made a mighty mean salsa. I'm sure I have changed it slightly with the passage of time... but this is the recipe as I remember it and as it has evolved (like all good folk recipes do) in my kitchen.
First you put tomatoes, chilies, onions, and garlic in a pan with a little oil and saute them until they caramelize and the tomato skins begin to blacken slightly. The amounts of these ingredients depend on your personal taste... but here I have 4 tomatoes, one onion, 6 cloves of garlic, 2 jalapenos, and 2 hatch chilies.... Ceci would say "Esta buena pero falta pica"...it's good but it isn't spicy enough... but then again that was a running joke in our house until the day Paul put handfuls of habaneros in and rendered her speechless for awhile...Then eyes watering she croaked out... "Esta buena"...
Once you have things nice and cooked you just throw the whole thing in a blender and add salt to taste and a little water. I like to put the water in the pan first and stir it around so that I take advantage of all the stuck on goodies in the pan. It also gives the salsa a nicer color.
Once it is blended it is ready to serve with chips, tacos or anything that can use a little kick.
Buen Provecho!
Okay, I am seriously going to make this- it looks absolutely delish! And I love, love, love the 'esta buena' story. Too funny!!
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks so yummy!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo u lived in mexico? no wonder u're good in cookin mexican food :)
ReplyDeleteIn my country, the recipe u give is called "sambal", but we dont use that much od tomatoes, we use chilli for more, and we dont use a blender, but we pound it with "ulekan" made from stone. The famous everyday food is eating sambal with warm rice and salty fish... and sambal is my best friend ;D
@Endy- I'm familiar with sambal... I use a store bought variety sometimes when cooking. I would love to know how to make the real thing. It reminds me of a salsa I make that uses dried red chilies, onions and garlic. If you ever post a recipe let me know... I check out your blog often... but I wouldn't want to miss it.
ReplyDeleteThat looks so good--might have to try this way of making salsa sometime. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSure, mom alwys make sambal everyday,lol... i'll let u know when i post it on my blog. Pls share more spicy mexican food... i alwys excited for that.
ReplyDeleteI posted already :)
ReplyDeleteWhat is the most delightful way to spend a rainy afternoon?
ReplyDeleteThis recipe is so simple, thanks for sharing.
Sitting out on the balcony of our apartment and looking out at the town of Guanajuato (pictured above) and reading a good book. At least that is what it was then... Now it would be curling up on the couch with my family and watching a movie.
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