The Mexican Focus Blog

Did you know that in recent years salsa has overtaken tomato ketchup to become the best selling condiment in the United States? Between 1985 and 1990 alone sales grew by an incredible 79 percent! In 1992, the top salsa manufacturers included Pace, Old El Paso, Frito-Lay, La Victoria, Ortega and Newman’s Own. In 1994, Pace Foods was sold to Campbell’s Soup Company for $1.1 billion dollars!

“Salsa” Spanish for sauce, has been around for 500 years. Originating from the Inca people, salsa can be traced back to the Incas, Mayans and Aztecs. This colorful and flavorful condiment was formally named “salsa” by Alonso de Molina in 1571.

Traditional Mexican salsas have onions, garlic, chiles and tomatoes as their main ingredients with the salsa tending to bridge the flavour between the tortilla or taco and its filling. Southwestern recipes feature chopped vegetables, fruits and other seasonings with the salsa serving a variety of functions – as a dip, relish, condiment or even side dish.

Salsas are thicker than Picante sauce, which has a smoother consistency. They can be fresh, cooked or bottled. Once limited to regions where southwestern and Mexican food is found, today salsas can be found anywhere in the country. Steady increase in popularity over the years can be attributed to both their nutritional value – they are low in fat, cholesterol and calories and contain many healthy nutrients – and their ability to add depth and flavour to any dish.

No longer are salsas limited to functioning as a pre-meal dip with tortilla chips. Today they can be found served over eggs, chicken or beef, as a condiment with fish, or as a base for cooked sauces. Try it with pasta, on pizza, or even over potatoes or french fries. With variations such as green tomatillo, red chile or even guacamole, they are a versatile and exciting way to liven up your cooking.

As we rapidly approach the 5th of May, the day known by many of us as Cinco de Mayo, it occurred to me that in all the years I’ve embraced this celebration drinking margaritas and the odd shot of tequila at cantinas near and far away,  I have never been quite sure of its origins.

A common misconception is that this event celebrates Mexico’s independence day. On the contrary, the anniversary of Mexico’s independence is celebrated on September 16 (1810)and this date is in fact the most widely celebrated holiday in Mexico.

As it turns out, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the anniversary of Mexico’s victory against the French Army in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 in the City of Puebla, Mexico. This victory was significant for at least two important reasons. Firstly,  4,000 soldiers defeated a much better equipped French army of 8,000 soldiers which, notably, had not been defeated in almost 50 years. Secondly, no other European force has invaded a country in the Americas  since this battle occurred.

Many historians believe this victory, which took place during the early years of the American Civil War, had direct influence on the eventual outcome of the Civil War and the future of America. Historian Justo Sierra states “Had Mexico not defeated the French in Pueblo on May 5, 1862, France would have gone to the aid of the South in the U.S. Civil War and the U.S. victory would have been very different.”           

Interestingly, this anniversary is mostly celebrated in the United States and is not significantly embraced in Mexico as it is not a Federal holiday there. In the US it is considered to be a day of Mexican heritage celebration. Celebrations are drawn from traditional Mexican symbols such as the Virgen de Guadalupe, and from prominent figures of Mexican descent, for example César Chávez. Schools and communities hold celebrations and restaurants and bars commercialize the event as well. It is observed elsewhere in the world as well including Canada, the Cayman Islands in the Carribbean, and the Island of Malta where people are encouraged to drink Mexican beer in celebration of the event.

Many are critical of the US food and beverage industry for promoting this event in an effort to get a jump on the summer beer selling season. In fact, having grown up in the States, the only real recognition I have of Cinco de Mayo in the past has been its association with cheap drinks. I hope this little snapshot of Mexican/American history adds to your drinking enjoyment on May 5th.

Salud!

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and what better way to start it than with a tasty Breakfast dish? Here at Mexican Focus we search far and wide for the tastiest Mexican dishes.

In traditional Mexico the majority of people go for Breakfast Tacos, which are relatively soft tortilla tacos that are filled up with several different stews.

Another option we can recommend is that you try our Mexican Breakfast Burritos recipe – this dish stuffed with cheese, sausage and eggs will absolutely melt in your mouth!!

Certainly if stuck for ideas you can always pull out a tortilla, add in some refried beans and call it your breakfast ( and many do ). However why not add a little spice to life and go for some variety!