Mildly Hot, Sweet & Spicy "Mango, Plum, Mint & Jalapeno Salsa"plus a "Roasted Baja Style Salsa"

Perfect weather, perfect fruit and perfect veggies went into this weekend of grillin and chillin with some Mango Mint Plum and a Roasted Baja Style Salsa to compliment some chili lime chips for dipping.

For the Mango, Plum, Mint, Jalapeno salsa I began by pulsing onions, garlic, mint and parsley in the food processor till minced.

I added two mango's cubed and four plums cut into small pieces. With two of the plums I left the skin to add color and texture. Add the fruit to the onion, mint and parsley mix.

Take a quarter of a jalapeno with the seeds removed and finely dice. Add to the salsa mix. Spritz with the juice of one lime.

Refrigerate till ready to serve with chips and avocado dip.
*My note; this salsa tasted so much better served on top of guacamole. I didn't make it the first night, but the next day I made guacamole and served it with the Mango Plum salsa and it took it up two notches in the flavor category!

ROASTED BAJA STYLE SALSA

I have been trying to hunt down this recipe for quite a long time now. There is a chain restaurant we enjoy going to called Baja Fresh Mexican Grill. I love their tacos simply prepared with grilled chicken, or beef, topped with cilantro, avocado, lime and salsa. But not just any salsa, my favorite salsa is their dark brown Baja Fresh salsa that I had never understood how they got that rich brown color. I asked around and finally received an answer from Heather over at Girlichef. Heather told me most likely the color was achieved by roasting till black all the tomatoes, onions, jalapeno and garlic. So I took her advise and blackened on my grill all the vegetables, popped them into the blender and pulverized them into a wonderful salsa. I also added cilantro, lime and salt to taste.

While my husband and kids loved the salsa, I came away learning a few things. Seed the jalapeno first.. it was eye popping hot for me, although my daughter and husband liked it just fine. Also, I went overboard with the garlic, I always do that! :) I used almost the whole head of garlic when really only a few cloves will suffice. I don't have exact measurements down yet. I will have to make it again before I post quantities. But as far as an ingredient list goes. Tomatoes, onion, Jalapeno, garlic, cilantro, lime and salt.

Thank you Heather!! Ciao and hugs. :)