Fresh Pear Salsa Recipes

FRESH PEACH SALSA

Steps:

• Place first five ingredients in a food processor; pulse until peaches are coarsely chopped. Add chilies, vinegar, lime juice and pepper; pulse just until blended., Remove to a bowl; refrigerate, covered, until serving. Serve with chips.

PEAR SALSA

Steps:

• Whisk together in a medium-sized glass or porcelain bowl the oil, cilantro or parsley or mint, chile peppers, garlic, tequila, salt and the black pepper.
• Stir in the diced pear, onion and bell pepper and mix gently to combine well. Cover the bowl and marinate the salsa at least 3 hours, preferably at room temperature, and then cover and chill slightly, if desired.
• Variation: Substitute 2 or 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger for the cilantro, parsley or mint.

PORK CHOPS WITH FRESH PEAR SALSA

Steps:

• Peel the pears and cut them into ½ inch chunks.
• Transfer to a large bowl. Add the bell pepper, onion, honey, vinegar, hot pepper sauce, and ¼ teaspoon of the salt.
• Toss to combine. Refrigerate until serving time.
• Preheat the broiler.
• In a small bowl, combine the sage, black pepper, ginger, garlic and remaining salt.
• Rub the mixture into both sides of the pork chops. Broil 6 inches from the heat for 3-4 minutes per side or until cooked through.
• Serve with the pear salsa.

ROAST PORK WITH FRESH PEAR SALSA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Combine pears, nuts, crushed pepper, 1/4 cup parsley, 1/3 cup dressing and 1/4 tsp. cumin. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Mix remaining parsley, dressing, cumin and garlic until blended. Place roast in roasting pan or shallow baking dish; brush with dressing mixture.
• Bake 1 hr. and 20 min. or until done (145 ºF). Remove roast from oven. Let stand 10 min. Slice half the roast; serve with half of the pear salsa. Cool remaining meat, then shred and refrigerate to use the next day (with the remaining salsa) to prepare Pork Tostadas with Pear Salsa (see Tip).

PEAR SALSA

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in small glass or plastic bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour to blend flavors but no longer than 24 hours.

CRUNCHY PEAR SALSA

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 3 hours ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Market Tip:
• Mexican limes, sold at Latin American markets and some supermarkets, are especially good in this recipe because they are sweeter and more fragrant than Persian limes (the more familiar variety). Mexican limes are also referred to as Key limes, which are available at Melissa's (melissas.com; 800-588-0151).