Leave a Comment
It’s still January, but a couple of weeks in Los Angeles have seen the mercury gauge of thermometers in the 70s, 80s and 90s. It may have even been just under 100 degrees at its hottest in the Valley. Crazy! At the same time, we watched folks in the Midwest and on the East Coast bundled up and trudging through snowstorms. When news hit that there was seven inches of snow in our alma mater state of North Carolina, we knew something was going on. (We do not envy them one bit.) We’re strong believers in eating seasonally–noshing on dishes that are true comfort foods based on the weather. Well it’s been a summery winter where we are, so we want a fun hot weather snack: salsa!
This fruit salsa is a festive medley of colors, textures and flavors! We greedily scooped it up with smoky, spicy chips. All we needed was something fresh and sparkly to wash it down. And so we made mojitos. A big thanks to strange and unnatural occurrences in nature for inspiring this!
Papaya and Black Bean Salsa
1/2 papaya, chopped
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1/2 yellow pepper, chopped
1 avocado, deseeded and chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 1/2 cup black beans, drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
Juice and zest of 1 lime
Salt
1. Mix everything except olive oil, lime juice and salt.
2. Add last three ingredients immediately before serving.
Cumin Chili Tortilla Chips
5 flour tortillas
Cumin
Chili powder
Salt
1. Cut each tortilla into eighths.
2. Lay tortillas flat on a baking sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray.
3. Sprinkle, either with wild abandon or trepidation, with cumin, chili powder and salt.
4. Bake at 375 degrees for 5-7 or until crisp.
Lemon Lime Mojito (makes 2)
5 ounces rum
Soda water
2-3 tablespoons sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lime
Mint
Ice
1. Muddle sugar, mint and lemon and lime juices in ice.
2. Add soda water to fill cup.
Click HERE for printable recipes.
Other recipes you may enjoy...
Revisiting an Old Friend
A Simple Infusion
This Is Not Goodbye
Keep It Simple Stupid
You Say Potato
Upon seeing the fruit salsa, I didn’t think life could get any better. Then you hit us with the homemade chips AND the mojito. Ah, I’ve died and gone to heaven … pure bliss!
I love your creative fruit salsa and the cumin chili tortilla chips sound really good. I need to make those for my husband for the superball.
Oy, you’re so lucky to have mild winters! I’m a South African freezing my ass off in the UK. No fair!
Definitely not salsa weather around here (just have to use my imagination and a heater!)
I’ve really enjoyed your Open Source recipes, and now I can enjoy your blog as well. It’s really cold in St Louis, where I live right now, but chips, salsa, and mojitos are always welcome.
Mmmm, salsa. Looks great, I’d eat it even in the cold.
Nice salsa!! I think the record warm streak has finally been broken, but WOW I can’t believe how gorgeous it was the last couple of weeks!
Yeah, I work in the Valley, and it is a little ridiculous that I wear short sleeves every day. But I’m not complaining!! I love da heat!
Thanks for the recipes….Mojitos are one of 2 liquor drinks that I actually enjoy!!! And I have not bought chips from the store ever since I realized that making them is (a) healthier, (b) cheaper, (c) about 12 times more delicious!!
What a yummy snack! I love black bean salsa!
I know the great weather what was up with that. Glad to report rain today! What a lovely drink to go with the sun!
That salsa is so colorful! It would also be great on some grilled fish.
It’s been in the 70s in Austin this week. I can’t mention that to my family up north, though.
Very nice! I love the use of papaya – peach and mango, step aside!
Love the Mojito recipe! Can’t wait for warmer weather!
Well lemons and limes are in season, so a mojito is perfect for winter! And here in the UK you don’t have to worry about the ice diluting the drink because its so cold!
What a way to celebrate the heat! How did I manage to forget to enjoy a tropical drink last week?? Oh well…glad you guys found a tasty (and colorful!) way to take full advantage of the upside of global warming
That’s it … I’m packing up and moving to LA. I’ve had it with this winter! Despite our wicked winter chill, I’m always in the mood for salsa and you’re looks terrific, Duo. Love the spicy baked pita chips too. Nice!
ok, so i think that we have about 5 more months till this will be seasonal in new york. it looks so good, and i’m jealous. completely. just for the record.
We have a bit of colder weather, but still want to eat like it’s summer. I USED to live in California. I miss the weather AND the produce! The cumin on the chips is something I want to try. My mom just put cumin in her apple pie and it was great.
I do not care what time of year it is…I will eat salsa and chips. Just had them last night. Salsa and Chips. I could salsa while eating chips. Salsa and Chips, my thing.
oh i wish i could feel sorry for you…but i CAN’T! i’m freezing my buns off here in nyc. today it was about 34 and i felt spring on the way b/c it actually was 15 degrees warmer than it’s been over the past few weeks. oh man… i think i’ll have a mojito tomorrow night and pretend it’s warm.
What delicious sunny food & weather you have – lucky you. Paris is WET and órrible!!
u betcha! i love winters…n they are going going one!
We’re having a heat wave in NY today. It’s warming up to a whopping 40 degrees after being totally frigid for the past couple of weeks. I could use some sunny food of my own. Thanks for sharing a nice summery recipe. The flavors in this salsa look great (and I wouldn’t mind a mojito either)
I’m reading your description of the LA weather and burning up with envy. We’re getting a warm day today – 39 – 40 degrees – but expecting single digits again tomorrow. Just in time for all the melted snow to freeze over… again…
Anyway, the salsa and tortilla chips look amazing. If we were having a super bowl party I’d serve them. Papaya is supposed to be really good for you, so I could pass it off as healthy!
Hi there:
Thanks for always leaving a comment on my blog!
I have a can of black beans in the pantry waiting to be used up, I might just make this when the weather gets warmer… perhaps in the next 4 months or so.
This makes me long for summer. I love spicy goodness!
So beautiful to look at! I’ve never really used whole black beans – just the Chinese salted ones and Asian black bean sauce. I’m intrigued.
I’ve made the chips/crisps before using Middle Eastern pita/ flat bread and lemon-pepper seasoning – love ‘em!
Have a great weekend
I know what you mean, I was pretty happy that we have rain for 3 days now. Not a heavy rain like I want to, but still at least there is water coming from above to wet the earth a little bit. Better then nothing, no?
I definitely know for sure that this salsa is going to be a hit among my family and friend. I consider this truly exotic.
Cheers,
Elra
i’d love to have that kind of weather…give me even 50 degrees. I’d be happy. Because after having 7 degree weather 50 sounds so HOT!
Yummy salsa, looks so fresh!
ack! did it again, used the wrong account!
The weather sure has been crazy lately! It was 31 degrees and frosty here in Florida the other day. Unheard of! Love the chips, salsa and mojito! This is exactly what we love to eat when the weather is mild.
This salsa sounds very interesting… never seen before one made with papaya… perfect for hot days. Here in Uk weather is not wintery but it is not hot… cold and rainy.
Have a good day, Margot
I will sip the lemon lime mojito virtually as my preferred drink of choice at the moment is a hot tea! Cheers!
I wish it was a summery winter over here – I too, blame it on global warming.
Could do with a couple of mojitos though
I need to move back to CA!
Your Salsa and Chips look so amazingly good. I’m so jealous of your food and your weather!
That’s crazy! The chips, salsa and mojito look wonderful! The kind of food I crave right now…
Cheers,
Rosa
The salsa looks really great – so colourful and healthy too! We are having hot weather too in Sydney (well we should, it’s summer here!) so this will go down a treat next time we fire up the barbeque.