Salsa City

Being back from vacation means one very important thing for us: back to eating clean and basically going crazy in the gym.


We stayed in Saturday and opted to grill with Kyle's cousin, his fiancee, and her son over at our house. We made a healthy favorite of ours, Grilled Fajita Pizzas.  Kyle has a way of grilling and marinated the flank steak that is heavenly...and I don't eat steak but I always have a nibble of this dish. He is the Grill King!


The steak and chicken were marinated in a tequila lime marinade with fresh garlic and fresh squeezed lime juice.  He then grilled the meats, onions, bell peppers, and tortillas.

My usual job for this meal is to make guacamole.  The creaminess of it pairs fantastically with the grilled, spicy meat.  I mash 2 avocados and I add 1/4c diced tomato, 1t lime juice, 1T salsa, tabasco sauce, and salt.  So good!

Since we had company coming I wanted to jazz it up a bit!  Aim high right!  My Mom, who was hurricane bound inside her house, offered up some inspiration.  Mom makes an amazing fresh salsa which made the menu and she also suggested a watermelon salsa.  Yup, watermelon.


For both salsa I diced a sweet white onion and "sweated" it in the microwave for 1 minute.  I added half of that to the watermelon bowl.  I added garlic and "sweated" the onions and garlic together for the tomato salsa.


For the watermelon salsa I used: diced watermelon, sweated sweet onion, diced jalapeno, cilantro, 1T EVOO, 1T cider vinegar, salt, and a pinch of Splenda to taste.

For the tomato salsa I used: diced tomato, onion, garlic, diced jalapeno, cilantro, 1T EVOO, 1T cider vinegar, salt, and a 1/8t Spelenda.  Kinda the same recipe, huh!

I had never thought to put olive oil in salsa...but Mom said to do it and I don't argue with Mom! :)  It brought a nice richness to the salsa.  


I happened to have some Crisco Extra Virgin Olive Oil on hand that I received through the FoodBuzz Tastemaker Program.  Crisco sent me the extra virgin olive oil, a pure olive oil, and a light tasting olive oil.  I had no idea that different EVOO's could be used.  I guess I've been brainwashed by Rachel Ray and I just EVOO it up anytime.  The 3 oils have different uses that are conveniently listed on the bottles. EVOO for dressing and sauces, pure Olive Oil for grilling, sauteing, and marinades, and the light tasting oil for frying and baking.

I loved the watermelon salsa.  The watermelon had a crisp texture and the perfect amount of sweetness for our blue corn + flax chips.


A delicious meal with great company.  What more could you want on a Saturday night?  Oh yeah~ football....6 days baby! 


Love and grill marks, 
Carissa & Kyle