This recipe could save your life! Okay - maybe it's not going to literally save your life, but when you are really hungry or if you need something easy, quick and healthy that will help fill you up and complement the flavors in other dishes, this recipe for Pico de Gallo may feel like a tiny miracle.
If you are looking for ways to add more fruits and vegetables into your diet, or if you just need a simple way to spice up your meals - to make the ho-hum more interesting - this easy Pico de Gallo recipe may be just what your taste buds are asking for! Pico de Gallo can enhance the flavor of your meals and add a little zest to your life. It's a truly delicious chip dip - but it's so much more!
I use this fresh salsa on many types of food, so be adventurous! Pico de Gallo, also called Salsa Fresca, is traditionally used with Mexican or Latin dishes, but it can be also give other types of cuisine a new flavor infusion. There is always a big bowl of Pico de Gallo in my refrigerator!
Try using Pico de Gallo as a topper for simple soups like lentil or split pea, on a breakfast tofu scramble or scrambled eggs, or even on top of a salad to add a little punch of flavor. If I'm in a time crunch or I'm away from my home kitchen, I even use a hearty helping of Pico de Gallo to top off a simple bowl of beans and rice. It's very satisfying and filling meal!
This recipe fits the bill when it comes to whole-food, plant-based eating, as all of the ingredients are plant-based and are whole foods or, in the case of the spices used, minimally processed. Since I love the ideas of adding in healthier foods - like Pico de Gallo - to crowd out unhealthy, ultra-processed foods rather than just taking away foods that aren't part of a optimally nutritious diet, I would suggest filling up on this nutrient-dense condiment. Vegetables and fruits can add the nutrients and fiber you need to increase your healthspan, give you more energy and normalize your blood sugar.
Simple Pico de Gallo
4 - 6 medium Roma tomatoes, chopped
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
1/4 - 1/2 large jalapeño, diced
(Serrano peppers may be substituted, but are much spicier, so adjust according to taste.)
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 - 1 medium lime
1/2 - 1 tsp. salt
1/8 - 1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 - 1 tsp. ground black cumin **(See note below)
Chop first 4 ingredients and place in a large bowl. Stir until completely mixed. Add the juice of 1/2 - 1 lime and stir to coat mixture. Add spices to taste. If you don't have access to black cumin, it can be omitted.
You are now ready to wow your taste buds and impress your friends with this salsa sabrosa - tasty salsa!
**You won't be sorry if you stock this mildly peppery-tasting spice in your pantry. It's so good for you! Studies have shown that it can aid in weight loss and it may improve cholesterol and triglycerides levels, blood sugar control and even blood pressure. Black cumin can add depth to many of your existing recipes. Here's a link to a video from NutritionFacts.org explaining some of the benefits of black cumin, also known as Nigella Sativa: https://nutritionfacts.org/video/benefits-of-black-cumin-seed-nigella-sativa-for-weight-loss/
Video credit to Rebecca McCarthy.
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