Simply Fresh Pico de Gallo

The ingredients for an authentic, classic pico de gallo recipe, and ideas for mixing it up. Fresh salsa can be a chameleon in the kitchen and is well-suited for adding tons of flavor to your plate. Even if the only other food on it is tortilla chips.

The Story

I studied Central American cuisine in culinary school, but when I'm looking for a refresher course, I look nowhere else than to the master himself, Rick Bayless. He's an accomplished chef, a successful restaurateur, and an authority on Mexican cuisine. I recommend his knowledge of what is truly authentic over that of any home-cook-turned-Google-ranked blogger.

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Authentic Pico de Gallo

You will see many pico de gallo recipes calling for jalapeño peppers. And if you love jalapeńos, by all means do it. But for authentic pico, serrano chili peppers are the ticket.

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The Ingredients

• Roma or plum tomatoes (I recommend organic, tomatoes are routinely on the Environmental Working Group's "Dirty Dozen" list)
• Garlic
• Serrano chili peppers
• Onion
• Lime juice
• Salt

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Chef's Tips & Substitutions

• On Spice. Remove the white flesh and seeds from the inside of the chilis for a less spicy salsa. This is where a majority of the capsaicin lives, the spicy compound in chili peppers. A spicy red sauce like Sriracha adds more kick and dimension.
• Switch up the herbs. Cilantro is the authentic choice, but many folks dislike it. Replace it with Italian parsley if you're in that camp. For a great bruschetta topping, lose the chilis and add fresh basil.
• Add fruit. For a tropical feel, toss in ripe mango or papaya.
• Experiment with oils and vinegar. For a saucier sidekick to your meal, drizzle in a little avocado or olive oil, and dash in your favorite vinegar. I love the way red wine vinegar ties together the flavors of tomatoes, garlic, and onions.
• Blend. Once chopped and mixed, the pico de gallo ingredients will naturally weep a little moisture. To create a thinner consistency for restaurant-style salsa, pulse half or all of the ingredients together in a blender or food processor. Without a blender or food processor, adding a small can of diced tomatoes to your fresh ingredients will give you a similar consistency.

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📖 Recipe

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