The Extra Step To Amplify The Flavor Of Homemade Salsa
Salsa is a delicious and versatile condiment and dip that can be used in many dishes, from tacos to scrambled eggs. And though salsa might seem to be a relatively simple and straightforward recipe to make, it can be deceptively difficult to make really flavorful salsa. While some might try to enhance their fresh salsa with additional ingredients such as citrus juice or zest, or even aromatics such as cumin and fresh garlic, these quick fixes do not enhance salsa to its full potential.
Roasting the vegetables before they are prepared and added to salsa is an effective method for adding more depth of flavor, but there is still an easier way to pack the flavor into this dip. You do need to focus on properly preparing the basic staple of any salsa recipe (i.e. the tomatoes), but instead of charring them (which can be messy), you should be removing their seeds. Not only will it impact the flavor, but it will also greatly affect the texture of your salsa too.
De-seed your tomatoes
This often overlooked, but crucial step in making salsa can actually make or break your homemade salsa recipe. The seeds and surrounding pulp in tomatoes contain a high water concentration and a bitter flavor. When added to salsa, the seeds can dilute the flavor, making it less vibrant. Additionally, they can make the salsa watery and negatively affect its texture. By removing the seeds, you'll get a thicker and more flavorful result that's well worth the effort.
De-seeding tomatoes is easy and can be done in a few simple steps. Start by cutting the tomato in half horizontally, use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds and the watery pulp. Alternatively, you can quarter your tomatoes as you normally would, lay the wedges on your cutting board skin side down, and then use a knife to separate the seeds and pulp from the flesh. Either way, you can discard the seeds and pulp or save them to use in other dishes. Once you've removed the seeds, chop the tomato as desired and add it to your salsa recipe.
So in taking the quick and easy extra step of scooping out the seedy middle of tomatoes, you can take your homemade salsa to the next level and impress your guests with a burst of flavor in every bite. But best of all, you can say goodbye to watery homemade salsa for good.