When I recently received an email from my friend Heather at girlichef that asked if I would like to participate in a Cook Book Spotlight and Book Review of a new Mexican Cook Book that was about to hit the market I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough. My family loves Mexican food and I’m always looking for good recipes that I can prepare at home. When I received my copy of Muy Bueno, a compilation of three generation’s recipes of favorite Mexican foods, I knew I might have the cookbook I’ve been looking for.
I have never heard of a mushroom salsa, let alone try one, and our first weeks’ assignment in the Cook-Off is to prepare this recipe for Mushroom, Jalapeno and Cilantro Salsa from the Salsa Chapter in the book. I know…I’m almost giddy over a whole chapter devoted to one of my favorite condiments. Chips and salsa have seen me through many a late night attack of the munchies and this one is no exception. This mushroom salsa is so quick and easy to put together and really benefits from sitting a few hours before serving so that the flavors meld and the lime juice softens the texture of the mushrooms.
It is delicious with chicken and fish, but the meal that got the most thumbs up was quesadillas with grilled zucchini and pepper-jack cheese, slices of fresh lime, and big scoops of Mushroom, Jalapeno and Cilantro Salsa. If you are looking for another way to use up the mountain of zucchinis in your fridge you have to try this. I sliced the squash lengthwise and brushed it with olive oil. Sprinkle on a pinch of garlic salt, oregano, salt and pepper and give it a few minutes on each side on a hot grill. Brush tortillas with oil, layer on grated pepper-jack cheese, zucchini and chopped cilantro and cook on the heated grill until crispy brown.
This Cook-Off takes place over the next 3 weeks with week 2 devoted to a recipe of the bloggers’ choice and week 3 a review of the book. The book’s publisher, Hippocrene, has generously given each blogger a copy of the cookbook to give away to their readers. I’ve decided to open up the giveaway for the three weeks of the Cook-off so it’s possible, if you read and comment on each of the 3 posts, that you will have 3 chances to win. I’m so impressed by this cookbook thus far and can’t wait to try more of its recipes. You can preorder Muy Bueno: Three Generations of Authentic Mexican Flavor here if you want a copy right off the press (October 1, 2012). Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win.
- 16 ounces fresh white mushrooms, finely diced
- Small red onion, finely diced
- 2 jalapenos, finely diced
- Handful of fresh cilantro, diced
- ¾ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
- In a bowl combine the mushrooms, onion, jalapeno and cilantro. Add the lime juice and olive oil and toss gently. Salt to taste
- Let sit for a couple of hours allowing the flavors to meld. This salsa is best served at room temperature.
- Serve as a topping for fish, chicken, grilled steak, or as an appetizer with a basket of your favorite chips.
- Makes 3 cups.
This post is part of the Muy Bueno Cookbook Spotlight & Cook-Off sponsored by Hippocrene and hosted at girlichef.
That salsa does sound unique and good. How can you not like anything with those ingredients. The guys in my house would especially LOVE this cookbook.
Marilyn recently posted..One Word
I know you would like it, Marilyn. I’m very impressed by the recipes I’ve tried so far.
Cathy recently posted..Mushroom, Jalapeno and Cilantro Salsa, a New Cookbook and a Giveaway
I agree–salsa is a favorite of mine. I’ve never had one with mushrooms but it sounds delicious!!
Best,
Bonnie
Bonnie recently posted..Fit for a Queen: Orange Almond Torte
I thought we had tried every kind of salsa known to man at my house, how awesome to find something new.
Rhonda (@diningalone) recently posted..Ramen Soup with Vegetables
Love your post, Cathy—I’ll be putting mine up on Tuesday. Great idea to serve it with the quesadillas.!
Unique and Savory MUYST TRY. I have made many salsas but nothing like this. Thank you for sharing.
What an unusual salsa! Love the idea and serving with the quesadilla is perfect.
Kate recently posted..Balsamic Roasted Vegetables
What a deliciously different kind of salsa. I’d love that, it looks delicious! Looking forward to when this book comes out, looks like something I’d love for my cookbook collection.
Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook recently posted..A new Lemon Zester!
Mushroom salsa??!!! Never even crossed my mind. Must try soon!!
Definitely different. But I love all the ingredients, so I do believe I would really like it.
Mmmm…I could eat this all over again! I love that you used it with some zucchini and pepper jack quesadillas, that does sound like a magnificent combination.
Heather @girlichef recently posted..Puerco Pibil (or Cochinita Pibil) #SundaySupper
Thanks, Heather. You chose a terrific recipe for the first week of our Cook-Off.
Cathy recently posted..Mushroom, Jalapeno and Cilantro Salsa, a New Cookbook and a Giveaway
I love that you paired the salsa with a quesadilla. That really is a brilliant idea! It looks gorgeous. Can’t wait to make mine 🙂
Kim recently posted..Quick Fried Shrimp with Sweet Toasty Garlic
Sounds fabulous!
That sounds like a wonderful salsa! Great looking cookbook too. Thanks for a chance to win it!
Penny
My daughter..as well as both Jacques and I love mushrooms:) Thank you!
Monique recently posted..Apple Bread With Caramel Icing~
Hi Cathy! I love your take on this delicious salsa. I am participating in the spotlight as well and thought I’d come over and introduce myself. You have a wonderful blog with many gorgeous recipes. I won’t be a stranger!
Karen Harris recently posted..Muy Bueno Cookbook Celebration: Mushroom, Jalapeno and Cilantro Salsa
Hi Karen – It’s so nice to meet you. I’m so enthused about this cookbook and can’t wait to try more recipes. It’s fun to see what everybody does with this recipe. I’m on my way over to say hello to you right now. Thanks for your comment.
Cathy recently posted..Mushroom, Jalapeno and Cilantro Salsa, a New Cookbook and a Giveaway
I’m not familiar with a mushroom salsa either. We love Mexican food and find it’s hard to find in NC where BBQ reigns supreme.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Monday Musings – Alpacas at our Farmer’s Market
Oh that sounds so good!
thanks for this giveaway!
I’m always looking for good Mexican food recipes for my church family’s meals. This would be very helpful! 🙂
Kay recently posted..Girls’ Night Turkey Burger Recipe and Book Giveaway!
I am quickly learning to love Mexican and South American food, as I have come to realize that it doesn’t need to be smothered in cheese! I’d love to learn more recipes. 🙂
Sounds great Cathy and I’ve never heard of mushroom salsa before:@)
Love what you did with the salsa. I made this also. I agree, easy and full of flavor.
Lea Ann (Cooking on the Ranch) recently posted..Pan Fried Cod with Mustard Caper Sauce and a Winner
Hi Cathy,
I love your Presentation of the Salsa with the Grilled Zucchini and Pepper Jack. What an awesome flavor combination. I really enjoyed your post, Muy Bueno is a beautiful cookbook. Hope you are having a great week.
Miz Helen
Miz Helen recently posted..Whats For Dinner Next Week 9-16-12
I don’t always love cilantro but I think that I would enjoy it in this (:
I like that you paired the salsa with quesadillas. And that you added zucchini to them. I am loving the Muy Bueno book.
Michelle recently posted..Muy Bueno Cookbook Spotlight & Cookoff: Mushroom Salsa
Mushroom salsa. Hmmm, that is anew one for me as well. I’ll give it a try and see how I like it. I just happen to have all the ingredients and am preparing chicken tonight.
I would never have come up with this salsa but since I like everything in it and can see them working together, I’m sure I’d love it. Thanks for offering the cookbook.
Larry recently posted..Go West Old Man –Cheyenne, WY – 2012
Perfect “innards” for a quesadilla. We’ve been grilling lots of zucchini this summer – so good!
Karen recently posted..Zucchini Tart
Love Mexican cuisine ! The mushroom salsa sounds really interesting ! Would love to win the cookbook !
how delicious! i’ve never heard of mushroom salsa, but it looks SO good! your pictures are lovely!
teresa recently posted..Skinny Sour Cream Enchiladas
I love salsas too. Now if I could just get my husband to eat salsas with raw onion in them I’d be OK.
This sounds delicious! Thanks!
I’d love to win this cookbook. Thanks for the giveaway.
This looks so delicious! I am beginning to cook Mexican food and I am at a bit of a loss so this would be perfect! And mushrooms in it… YUM!
Zucchini quesadillas with this salsa sounds perfect. You are sooo right about the abundance of zucchini right now and I think this sounds like the best way to eat them up. Delicious!
Michelle K. @ Delectable Musings recently posted..Mushroom, Jalapeño and Cilantro Salsa
Mushroom salsa?? Must try soon!!
A mushroom salsa…that sounds and looks so interesting and delicious.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Pumpkin Spelt Muffins with Peanuts and Ginger
I adore mushrooms, so I know I would enjoy eating this. Thanks for the recipe.
Lisa @akawest recently posted..World’s Best Brownies
Cathy, it sounds like a great cookbook. Mushrooms are the best and mushroom salsa is new to me. A must try!!! Thanks!!!
Pam recently posted..Simply Stuffed Pork Chops
I’ve never heard of a mushroom salsa! But I know a few of my family members who would love it!!!
With roots from New Mexico, am always looking for family recipes. This sounds like a must have and would LOVE to win this one.
The ladies at Muy Bueno have done a wonderful job! Their cookbook has to be wonderful and the mushroom salsa sounds fantastic, Cathy.
Susan recently posted..Fig and Chickpea "Sausage"
It is very interesting to see mushrooms in salsa, I didn’t know that you could eat them raw! This should appeal to my boys:) I especially like the look of those quesadillas.
Jeannie recently posted..Shanghai mooncakes and yam swirl(spiral) mooncakes
Looking forward to trying this salsa recipe! Thank you for sharing!
Amy J recently posted..My New ‘Baby’…
Cathy, I saw this on another blog and was so intrigued by it. It sounds amazing and also great for a low calorie diet. What a wonderful punch of flavor it must bring to whatever you serve it with!
What a tasty recipe & I love the presentation too! 🙂
Yummmmm!
Sophie recently posted..Vegan chocolate bars reviews & vegan raw cold-processed coconut nectar sweetened nibs review! Ooh yeah!
Mushroom salsa sounds amazing, I’m always looking for new recipes with mushrooms. Thanks for posting
Oh man…I bet that was so good with those wonderful quesadillas! Ok…I need to make it again
Danielle recently posted..Mushroom, Jalapeno, and Cilantro Salsa
Hi Cathy, I’ve never heard of Mushrooms in Salsa either, but it really does sound enticing! My family craves Mexican and I’ve just got to get better at preparing more recipes for us! Thanks for the cookbook review too . . . gee, like I need one more! Actually, I need more bookshelves first!
Ciao,
Roz
Roz recently posted..grilled prosciutto and fig pizza
My family loves Mexican food. This mushroom salsa is just so unique! I can’t wait to try it. I will definitely be following your posts about this cookbook. I have over 50 cookbooks now and treasure them as if they were an original Jules Verne from years ago. Thank you for the recipe!
Stefanie recently posted..Coffee Filter Planets ~ Space Party Craft
What an interesting salsa mixed up. I bet it tastes fabulous with anything.
Hope you’re going to have a great week ahead, Cathy.
Kristy
kristy recently posted..Masak Merah With Dory
What an interesting salsa; I’ve never had a mushroom salsa, but I’m in! The salsa sounds delicious and the book does too-we love Mexican food and salsa and chips is a favorite.
Nice job on the recipe! I still might try and knock this out for the weekend!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious recently posted..Benedict Burger Sliders….
Would love the books, thanks for the chance to win!
Vegetables and salsa in one dip. Can’t beat this!
I’ve never seen a salsa with mushrooms either, but I love mushrooms — so why not?
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
that recipe looks delicious! and the cookbook looks awesome!
There’s definitely a place waiting on my shelf for this cookbook!