Even though we’ve barely broken into spring, Austin’s blue skies and 80° weather have tripped whichever part of my brain that controls grill use, window-inspired daydreaming, and urges to go canoeing. As such, I’m sliding of all the winter spices–nutmeg, cloves, and allspice, among others–to the back of the cabinet and setting my alarm for the farmer’s market.
This red pepper soup makes a summery, low-calorie alternative to its tomato cousin. It’s the very opposite of heavy, and it has a natural sweetness that’ll appeal to anyone who spent a day in the heat (or to anyone wishing they had been able to).
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If you haven’t had interior Mexican before, you probably haven’t tasted a salsa like this. Store-bought salsas are usually dominated by hot peppers and salt, but the strongest flavor in this recipe is cilantro. (On the topic of authenticity, make sure to say cilantro in a Don Juan voice with the longest L you can muster.)
While it may be easier to grab something off the shelf, making your own salsa has its advantages. It will taste better, have fewer preservatives, less salt, and contain raw nutrients. You may even find that it’s a great replacement for higher carb sauces and sides, like BBQ or steak sauce. The best thing about it, though, is that the flavors in fresh salsa get more and more complex the longer you let it sit. If you make a large batch, you can use it for a week and it will only get better. That can’t be said about many vegetable dishes.
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