Celebrated on May 5, Cinco de Mayo originally was designated to commemorate the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. In modern times the date has grown to also be a day to celebrate Mexican culture around the world, regardless of heritage. There are so many ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, but I have to say my favorite is to make the day special is by sampling various Mexican-inspired cuisine!
For me, every great Mexican-cuisine-themed meal is accompanied by a fresh salsa and dip-worthy chips. We can salsa every year, but I inevitably run out of it before spring so I have my tried-and-true quick Cinco de Mayo salsa recipe (below) for special occasions like Cinco de Mayo. Fresh is simply best. You can purchase store versions, but it’s just as easy whip up your own and so worth having the super fresh flavor!
As for salsa chips, I’ve made chips before but honestly, with so many great, quality varieties like Cabo Chips available to enjoy, there’s not as much need to fuss with homemade. Cabo Chips are 100% whole grain classic cantina style tortilla chips and are inspired by the boldly vibrant atmosphere of Cabo San Lucas. A delicious fusion of the old and the new, these all natural chips are cooked the traditional way – cut from fresh tortillas that are batch cooked for a true cantina crunch! Cabo Chips use only real ingredients, no “flavorings,” for authenticity you can taste.
Thanks to the dedicated folks at Cabo Chips, I had the opportunity to sample several varieties and absolutely agree, they are chock full of wholesome crunch and one-of-a-kind flavors! When you pick up the package, the ingredients are simple and few. No artificial or chemical anything- just the same common ingredients you would use to make chips at home. Cabo Chips are also NON-GMO verified, organic, 100% whole grain, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher.
This month, the family-run company also introduced two new flavors: Mango Chili Lime and Churro (yes you heard that right!) to add to its selection of Original and Blue Corn chips, just in time for Cinco de Mayo! In June 2015, they will launch their Ancient Grain flavor loaded with Teff, Chia, and Amaranth and cooked in antioxidant rich rice bran oil. They will also be Non-GMO Project Verified, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Kosher, 100% Whole Grain, No Trans Fat and 100% recyclable packaging. Want to find them? Cabo Chips are available in select food chains such as Whole Foods, Vons and others, as well as direct purchase online:
Just as simple as it is to pick out a fabulous chip, you can whip together an amazing salsa to accompany them. Try my favorite quick and easy Cinco de Mayo Salsa recipe to help make your celebration farm fresh!
Ingredients
- 6 plum tomatoes, seeded and quartered
- 1 jalapeno chili pepper, seeded and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 cup white onion, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prep ingredients.
- Pour all ingredients into food processor.
- Cover and pulse 5 to 6 times to dice and mix ingredients. (you can stop here if you prefer a chunky salsa.)
- For a smoother salsa, puree for 20 to 30 seconds until fully liquefied and blended well.
Notes
This recipe produces a mild to medium heat salsa. If you prefer a hotter salsa, add the jalapeno seeds to the mix prior to processing or double the jalapeno in the recipe.
If you prefer red onions in your salsa, simple swap in the same amount to substitute for the white onions.
I find that plum tomatoes are the best for making this style salsa, but you can use other varieties of tomatoes. If you are using large tomatoes (like Beefsteak tomatoes) swap in 3 large tomatoes to substitute for the 6 plum tomatoes.
How do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Do you have a favorite go-to recipe?
This is exactly what I was looking for thanks!!
This looks absolutely delicious and wish I could try this right now! Thanks for sharing!
I definitely want to try that Ancient Grain when it comes out. Sounds like my kind of chip. That Salsa recipe sounds delicious-may try and make it!!
I love good chips and salsa. These chips look really crisp and delicious. I’ll have to look for these in my market.
Mmm, that looks so yummy! It would be perfect to have on the buffet tables for our barbecues this summer!
Oh I haven’t tried these ones yet. Those flavors sound really good though. I should try them!
I have not heard of these chips before! I love how easy this salsa sounds to make!
I can almost smell the delicious flavors. This sounds so good and perfect for any party, not only cinco de mayo
My mouth is watering reading this post. I would agree that sampling Mexican foods is my favorite part of cinco de mayo! This salsa recipe looks delicious! I have never seen these chips before, but I want to try them! The blue corn and the mango chili lime are on my “to try” list!
Nummy, and I was looking for a new recipe like that too. Thanks for sharing. I’m sure my husband would just love it too. He likes all that spicy stuff. We don’t do anything for Cinco de Mayo. There’s a Hispanic neighborhood close by that has a parade and tons of food vendors sometimes we go there.
These look so yummy!
OOPS! I sent my comment too fast. I think that I will be making that recipe this weekend!
Wow! Thanks for sharing. Makes me want to prepare this later. LOL. Can’t wait to show this to my boyfriend. 😀
It’s nice to see some variety in the Nachos here. This would really make a great salsa.
Oh so delicious, I love having nachos and dips. I don’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo but I may need to have some Mexican food today 🙂
This is so tempting! I love easy dishes, always works well for busy moms like me. 🙂
At this very moment this is what I need something simple, easy and quick to make.
This looks really yummy and perfect moms like me who don’t have time to cook.
These look delicious. You had me at churro chip! I love that it’s a family company, too!
Perfect timing! This recipe looks DELISH and the chips look pretty amazing too. I’ll have to look for those in my grocery store.
Oh wow! I love Chips. Those different flavors look interesting and I love your salsa recipe.
those are really interesting nachos flavor + the salsa looks really delish!