salsa

We're not one to veer too far away from turkey day traditions, but one Thanksgiving trend we're completely on board with this year is the concept of a lighter cranberry sauce.

If the idea of jelly from a can or a heavy, thick cranberry sauce doesn't float your boat this year — or if you just want to bring a new cranberry perspective to the table! — consider opting for cranberry salsa instead. All you need are 15 minutes, fresh cranberries, lime, jalapeño, and sugar, and you've got a Thanksgiving side that everyone'll be asking about. With its clean, tart flavors and addictive heat, the salsa cuts right through mashed potatoes, bacon-studded brussels sprouts, gravy, and all the other heavy, rich foods on the table.

Curious yet? Get the cranberry salsa recipe here.

We're huge fans of adding fruit to salsa and we can't wait to try ncl117's grape and tomato variation!

Delicious fresh tomato grape salsa. Perfect for a hot summer night with chips or fish. It is so cool and refreshing!

If you're interested in the recipe, check out her blog. Got a great salsa recipe? Share it with us in the YumSugar Community!

One of the easiest appetizers ever, which I've made countless times, is baked goat cheese. Normally I smother it in marinara sauce and serve it with toasted baguette, but recently I came across a recipe that turns the baked goat cheese into a Tex-Mex-style dip. The marinara is replaced with roasted tomato salsa and tortilla chips stand in for the crostini.

The resulting dip is so good I couldn't help but wonder, "why didn't I think of this?!" If you've got time, make your own salsa, but when you need an app fast, simply pour your favorite store-bought salsa over the goat cheese and pop it in the oven. For a festive Fourth of July spin, serve the red and white dip, hot from the oven, with blue corn tortilla chips. Here's the scrumptious recipe!

Not so long ago, I fell in love with mini twice-baked potatoes. Naturally, I just had to try another recipe for a bite-size potato; this time I made potatoes topped with tomato-avocado salsa. These potatoes are less labor intensive, but just as delicious. The potatoes are roasted until they're browned and a little crunchy, then topped with the fresh salsa and a dollop of a sour cream.

My guests enjoyed them both warm and at room temperature, so don't worry about serving them right away. Short on time? Pick up prepackaged salsa and guacamole; you only have to roast and assemble. With Summer right around the corner, these small spuds are great for a potluck party or barbecue — no one is able to resist them! Get this easy vegetarian appetizer recipe by reading more.

If you're a cheese lover, brace yourself because you are going to be amazed with this recipe. It's for parmesan salsa. Yes, you read that correctly: parmesan salsa! It's a fantastic dip that's made like any regular tomato salsa — with a food processor. Instead of serving with tortilla chips, pair the chunky cheese spread with toasted bread.

Seriously, this addictive salsa is to die for; I've made it countless times and it always gets rave reviews. It's very easy to put together, so it's great for entertaining. Since it's all about the cheese, it's worth it to splurge on a good quality parmesan and asiago. To learn how it's made — trust me you won't be disappointed with this appetizer — keep reading.

I'm fresh off the plane from Maui, and my first visit was so fantastic that I'm already plotting my return. There, the fruits of the sea were so abundant that I had fish at virtually every single meal, in fresh preparations from spicy tuna poke to seared, sesame-encrusted steaks. One of my favorite ways to enjoy local catch like ono was in a Hawaiian-style ceviche with a tropical coconut marinade. I missed the dish so much that when my sunburned self returned to overcast San Francisco, it was the first meal I prepared for myself at home.

Incidentally, this recipe is from The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, the resort that I called home for an all-too-brief period of time. It's been the best stand-in for a beachside vacation — that is, until I find my way back to the island. For the recipe, read more.

There's no better time than a massive heat wave to embrace salsa. It's a no-cook appetizer that's ideal for last-minute Summer entertaining, and makes use of the cornucopia of farm-fresh seasonal ingredients at your disposal. Eschew classic tomato salsa for a Mediterranean riff that incorporates cured green olives, oregano, and hot pepper relish — a topping that would taste great not only on pita chips, but also white meat or grilled fish. But salsa doesn't have to be salty: Take it for a sweet spin by incorporating mango and kiwi with a hint of brown sugar and ginger. Try either, or both, when you read more.

When it comes to speedy dinners, the rotisserie chicken is a wonderfully versatile ingredient. Another one that's not as popular (but definitely should be!) is peeled and cooked shrimp. They're sold in seafood counters across the nation and make a great protein base for all sorts of dishes. This recipe goes beyond the classic shrimp cocktail preparation and looks to the Southwest for inspiration. The shrimp is tossed with salsa, jicama, and avocado to create a quick and simple filling for fajitas. Serve with a salad of canned black beans, fresh tomatoes, and corn, and you've got a hearty meal that's perfect for weeknight entertaining.

See the recipe here.

Red meat and chicken have long hogged the spotlight of the grill, and with good reason: their robust, iron-rich flavors hold up well to the smoke of the barbie. When cooking out, however, be sure not to overlook the fruits of the sea. While fish tends to be flakier and lighter, its delicate flavors are brought out by the char of the grill.

Light up the barbecue for a quick-cooking fillet of sea bass, smoldered skin-crisp, then top with a watermelon and green tomato salsa that screams summertime.
For the most sustainable seafood option, reach for farmed striped bass and avoid Chilean sea bass at all costs. Want the recipe? Read more.

Get excited: we've been highlighting our favorite ways to prepare strawberries, and all Summer long, we'll be featuring uses for fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

Right this moment, we can't keep our eyes (and hands) off of the Bing and Rainier cherries that are popping up in farmers markets and produce sections. Technically, cherries are a stone fruit, but since they're blush-colored, bite-sized, and rhyme with "berries," we've taken the liberty of giving them an unofficial berry designation.

My favorite way to enjoy a cherry is ripe and off the stem. That's why I love a simple and uncooked recipe like this salsa, which lends the super-sweet fruit an unexpectedly savory twist. Serve it like a traditional salsa with tortilla chips, or use it as a topping for grilled chicken. For the no-cook recipe, read more.