Basil Mango Pico De Gallo

I came across a recipe for Mango Pico De Gallo on a great site called

Our Best Bites and just had to try it. Using mangoes instead of tomatoes is a very unique twist on the typical Pico De Gallo and it was really delicious. But I cant just leave well enough alone, inspiration set in and I made it again with my own twist...basil...because everything tastes better with basil!...Give them both a try...very easy and very delicious!

Ingredients:

1 large mango, finely cubed

1/4 of a red onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup basil leaves, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced
juice of 1 lime

grated zest of 1 lime

1 tbsp olive oil

pinch of kosher salt, or more to your taste

Directions:

-add all ingredients to a small serving bowl and gently stir together until well combined

-allow to sit for about 15 minutes, so that flavours can meld

-serve as a dip with tortilla chips

*makes about 1-1/2 cups

Italian Salsa Verde...perfect with your grilled meats!

*a recipe seen on  CityLine by Massimo Capra

This is a great salsa to serve over grilled meats, chicken or fish....or serve it on the side with some fresh bread slices for spreading...delish!

Servings:         about 1 1/2 cups
Prep time:       10 minutes
Cook time:      refrigeration time

Ingredients:
1 small bunch italian parsley
1 small bunch mint
1 small bunch basil
2 oz capers
4 anchovy fillets
6 small gerkins
2 cloves garlic
2 slices white bread
red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
-soak the bread slices with some vinegar and set aside
-wash and dry herbs and set aside
-put all the other ingredients in a food processor and blend, adding oil a little at a time
-add the bread and blend until creamy
-season with salt and pepper and refrigerate for a few hours before serving

Venezuela: Guasacaca...Guacamole Style Salsa

*jcsmama's version of a traditional Venezuelan recipe


If you look at the ingredients they are very similar to those used to make guacamole. And this is really what this is, the venezuelan version of guacamole. The main difference being that rather than blending the ingredients together to create a creamy dip, the ingredients here are finely chopped and mixed by hand. It is very flavourful and fresh tasting and goes well with everything! Enjoy!


Ingredients:


2 ripe avocados, pitted and flesh cut out
1 large tomato
1 small onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp hot sauce (adjust to your taste)


Preparation:
-chop avocados, tomato and onion with a knife and mix together in a bowl
-add remaining ingredients and using a spoon mix together well
-refrigerate for at least 1 hr to allow flavours to meld

*serve with fried plantains or tortilla chips as an appetizer, or as a side salsa to grilled meats and chicken

*if you prefer you can blend all the ingredients together to make a creamy dip, it is also delicious!
*this salsa is best used the day it is made, as it does not last well due to the avocados