A dab of Gourmet Chipotle Paste With Adobo or one of Art Of Chipotle’s sauces will dial up the flavor on your everyday and party dishes. Photo by Floortje | IST.
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ALISSA DICKER SCHRIEBER is on the editorial staff of THE NIBBLE.
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August 2008 |
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The Art Of Chipotle
Page 4: Chipotle Salsa
This is Page 4 of a four-page article. Click on the black links below to see other pages.
We tasted two of The Art Of Chipotle’s salsas. Both are very good—a leap above your average supermarket salsa, for those who appreciate nuances of flavor. Both use a reasonable amount of vinegar, so this is a salsa profile for those with a taste for the tart.
Southwest Sunset Salsa
With Smokey Red Sensation as its base, this adobe-colored sauce is somewhat thin, but contains chunks of tomato, corn and beans, plus flecks of fresh cilantro.
The liquid has a pleasant bean-y flavor. Our only quibble is that it’s a bit vinegary—although vinegar lovers will be happy, and we were happy dipping tortilla chips in it. The salsa seems very mild at first, but after a moment, the chipotle heat and smoke come forward. The heat lingers, but it’s definitely not too hot. The company calls it medium and we think that’s an accurate assessment. You feel the heat, but it doesn’t numb your taste buds.
Use this salsa for chip dipping, of course, as well as in any given Tex-Mex dish (enchiladas and fajitas come to mind). It’s also nice over eggs, and is perfect for fried or grilled fish tacos.
Ingredients: Tomatoes, water, onion, black beans, corn, chipotle paste, cider vinegar, tomato paste, garlic, cilantro, chile powder, cumin, lime purée, salt, xanthan gum.
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Southwest Sunset Salsa: perfect for Tex-Mex. |
Black Bean Fiesta Salsa
Our favorite of the two—if only for its versatility—this salsa, which also (and more noticeably) contains Smokey Red Sensation, is thick with puréed beans and some bean chunks. It gives off a bit less chipotle kick than its sibling, Southwest Sunset Salsa, and is also a bit vinegary. The savory, orange-brown sauce has very mild smoke and is suited for any number of purposes besides dipping (although that’s perfectly appropriate).
- Black Bean Fiesta Salsa screams to be placed beneath huevos rancheros or served hot over nachos with melted cheese and jalapeños.
- Use it in chili, burritos and quesadillas, or as the base for a taco salad made of shredded lettuce, chopped tomato and onion, grated jack cheese and ground meat cooked with taco seasoning.
But take it beyond the obvious:
- Dips & Fondue. Mix it into cheese dips, fondue (or queso fundido, with some spicy chorizo); or use it in a seven-layer dip.
- Sandwich. Use it as a sandwich spread, especially with grilled chicken and greens.
- Burger. Use it as a topping for turkey burgers, and add some sliced avocado and watercress.
- Veggies. Toss it with cooked vegetables. Use it as a dip for crudités.
- Sides & Baked Potatoes. Warm up the salsa and serve it on its own as a side dish, like refried beans, topped with sour cream and chives. Or fill a baked potato with this same combo.
- Sauce. Add some corn and chopped tomato to lighten it up, and spoon it as a sauce over grilled chicken or fish.
If you aren’t accustomed to chipotle salsas, we think you’ll enjoy this one.
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Black Bean Fiesta Salsa: less hot and thicker than Southwest Sunset Salsa. |
Ingredients: Water, black beans, pinto beans, onions, chipotle paste, tomato paste, garlic, vinegar, chile powder, molasses, cumin, salt, xanthan gum, pineapple flavor.
We haven’t had the Mango Gingersnap Salsa or the Pineapple Mojito Salsa, but we’ll add them to our next order. If you like the idea of chipotle salsa, here are some fruity variations:
Whether via grilling sauce, marinade, paste, salsa or topping, you’re now equipped to add some smokey chipotle heat to your old standards...and dabble in something new. The Art Of Chipotle makes it easy.
Read About Other Art Of Chipotle Products: Go To Article Index Above
THE ART OF CHIPOTLE
Gourmet Paste With Adobo, Salsas and Sauces
Prices include UPS ground shipping
- Gourmet Chipotle Paste
With Adobo
6.5-Ounce Jar
3-pack, $16.50
- Chipotle Sauces
14.4-Ounce Bottle
3-pack, $19.50
- Salsas
13.1-Ounce Jar
6-pack, $29.00
- Gift Box
$39.00
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In addition to adding to everyday meals, the festively-packaged Art Of Chipotle line offers options for house gifts and stocking stuffers. The entire collection, above, is $69.99.
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Purchase online* at ChipotlePeople.com.
Individual jars are available at fine retailers nationwide.
*Prices and product availability are verified at publication but are subject to change. Shipping is additional. These items are offered by a third party and THE NIBBLE has no relationship with them. This link to purchase is provided as a reader convenience.
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