15 Delicious Dishes Made Better With Salsa

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Is your refrigerator ever without a jar of salsa? Mine either. I love it so much that I keep buying different types: green, peach, mild, spicy, etc. Which makes it a great (and inexpensive) condiment to cook with. Here are 15 ways to think "beyond the dip."

1. Bye-Bye, Bland Chicken Breasts

Spray a casserole dish with nonstick spray. Brown four boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Move them to the casserole dish and sprinkle with seasonings (a Mexican blend is good). Pour a cup of salsa over, cover with foil, and bake at 375ºF for 40 minutes. Serve over rice or quinoa with sour cream; garnish with avocado.

2. Lunch in a Jar

I love the trend of packing lunch in a mason jar and toting it to work. Foods stay crisp and cool. This to-go taco salad is delicious and nutritious. Bring along some tortilla chips and you'll enjoy every bite.

3. Salsa Burgers

To ground hamburger or ground turkey, add a half-cup of salsa. Fry or grill as usual. Top with guacamole, pico de gallo, and a slice of Monterey jack cheese. It's great with home fries that have been sprinkled with cumin and smoked paprika.

4. Fish and Queso

Melt butter and a little oil in a skillet. Add fish (cod, halibut, snapper, etc.), sprinkle with salt and pepper, and fry 4-5 minutes on each side, depending on thickness of fish and desired degree of doneness. Top with salsa and serve with red potatoes and cotija or queso fresco (Mexican cheeses).

5. Instant Appetizer

I like to use Neufchatel cheese for this appetizer, because it's a little softer. Simply take it out of the package, and pour a half-cup of salsa over. Serve with sturdy tortilla chips.

6. Salsa N' Scramble

This is a great way to start your morning. Scramble eggs as usual and top with salsa. Heat a whole-wheat tortilla, and scoop in your scrambled eggs. Add a little cheese, and fold it all up.

7. Crock-Pot Salsa Chicken

One of my coworkers whipped this Crock-Pot peach salsa chicken up and brought in leftovers. It's delicious and easy. She served it with fluffy white rice and steamed broccoli. Pop one of those cooking bags into your slow-cooker and cleanup gets even easier!

8. Stuff It

Besides being really inexpensive, these stuffed zucchini look and taste great. I didn't have any jicama so I left that out. I also substituted some leftover white rice I had already made. They were delicious and satisfying.

9. Delicious and Deviled

Just about everyone loves deviled eggs. The next time you make them, try adding a dollop of salsa on top. It adds a lot of flavor and color.

10. Hotter Hummus

I love hummus, but it's kind of pricey in the store, isn't it? Make your own (so easy and cheap) and top with salsa for a little extra heat. Crisp pita bread by drizzling with olive oil and toasting in the oven; break into chip sizes and serve with the hummus.

11. Zip Up Soup

Salsa can really perk up a lot of boring soups. Try it in canned soups, like chicken with rice, or potato. It's a perfect addition in a black-bean or lentil soup, too.

12. Meatloaf

Instead of adding tomato sauce, try using salsa, instead. I like to also add a small can of chilis. Sprinkle cheese over the top during last 10 minutes of baking.

13. Salsa Pizza

Grab one of those handy store-bought crusts and let's make a Mexican-style pizza. Start with a layer of salsa, instead of pizza sauce. Add browned hamburger or cooked, diced chicken, shredded Monterey jack cheese, and sliced olives. It's also great as an appetizer, cut into small pieces.

14. Emergency Salad Dressing

Combine salsa with plain yogurt or sour cream for a delicious, easy, dressing. I like to use tortilla chips as "croutons" in the salad.

15. Mexican-Style "Lasagna"

This lasagna goes together really easily, and is also a great potluck dish.

What do you do with salsa, besides down it with chips? Share with us!

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