How Many Ways Can you Cook with Salsa?

Salsa is a food that people usually associate with Mexican food. Everyone has their favorite style of salsa, whether it's fresh and chunky, picante style, thickly pureed, red or green, mild or spicy. No matter how you like your salsa there are lots of ways to use it aside from spooning it over tacos or using it as a chip dip. Here are some creative ideas.

Use thick, picante style salsa just as you would barbecue sauce. Brush it over your meats or seafood the last fifteen minutes of grilling so it doesn't char or burn. Serve some salsa on the side or over the finished meat.

Stir salsa into lowfat or non fat sour cream for a quick dip. You can use mild, medium, or hot depending on your preferences. Add some chopped herbs and a squeeze of lime for a clean fresh flavor.

Roughly puree fresh salsa in a blender or food processor. Add some tomato juice, veggie or chicken stock, and a couple tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Now you have a quick, healthy and flavorful gazpacho. You might want to use a salsa that doesn't have cilantro.

Cook up shrimp with salsa for a quick main dish. Serve it over pasta, a salad, or on top of brown or wild rice. You could also wrap it in lettuce leaves for a quick appetizer.

Make foil packs for fish filets and top them with your favorite salsa. Bake at 350 for about twenty minutes for a fresh, flavorful and fast entrée. You could also do the same with scallops, chicken breasts, or pork chops. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Mix fresh salsa into softened light cream cheese. Add grated lowfat cheddar, a little bit of light mayo and some chopped green onions. Stuff the mixture into large mushroom caps and top with some more grated cheese. Bake at 375 until bubbly and golden brown. They're a great snack or appetizer.

Spoon some salsa over your favorite steamed veggies for a quick side dish. It adds flavor without a lot of fat or calories. You could also toss the veggies and salsa with some cooked pasta and grated Parmigiano. Salsa is also a great topper for baked potatoes or rice.