Chips and Salsa at Borracha Are the Best in Henderson
Looking for Salsa that Serves? Borracha Has the Best in Henderson
Some things in this world will always be legendary, and salsa is one of them. It’s one of those things that can stay the same but also exponentially get better with a twist or two. If you’re looking for authentic Mexican salsa, Borracha has the best. They offer homemade classic salsa and other authentic variations like the Arbol and Guajillo Pineapple. If you need to know the why behind the what, then come in and snack on some chips and salsa at Borracha while you learn about authentic Mexican salsa.
A Spicy Origin Story
Salsa, while fun to say, simply means sauce in Spanish. Like most Mexican food, it was originally a dietary staple of the indigenous people of South and Latin America. It is thought to have been a blend of tomatoes, chilies, beans, and squash, which is very similar to the base ingredients used in making salsa today. Salsa started to make an appearance in the United States in the 1800s and got increasingly popular in the early 1900s. It’s now so standard in the United States that in 2013 there was more salsa sold than ketchup. Texas is still the leading producer of salsa in the states, and in 2003 chips and salsa became the official state snack.
Six Degrees of Salsa-Tion
Some say that a “true” and “authentic” salsa is one that is prepared with fresh ingredients that are crushed instead of blended. It is not made with pre-cooked ingredients. However, others maintain that there are six types of salsa that are frequently enjoyed and used in Mexican cooking:
Pico de Gallo is the most popular and recognizable salsa. It has minimal liquid, which means it’s also used frequently as a topping on other dishes like tacos. Sometimes it is even served alone as a tomato-based salad. It is usually made with the key ingredients of tomatoes, cilantro serrano peppers, lime juice, onion, and salt.
Salsa Taqueria is cooked and blended, so it is smooth in consistency. The cooked ingredients stay in water or oil until preparation. It’s also a little bit hotter because it has arbol chilies in it, which are spicier. This is frequently the “spicy” option in comparison to “mild.”
Salsa Roja means red sauce, which is about as descriptive as needed. It refers to any red salsa that has liquid in it, no matter if it is chunky or well-blended. Its ingredients are pre-cooked and typically it is made with either jalapenos or serrano peppers. There is often a touch of garlic, which is different than other salsas. It can be used on most Mexican dishes.
Salsa Verde literally means green sauce, and it is the green variation of salsa roja. It is green in color because it uses tomatillos instead of tomatoes. What is unique is that it is generally served chilled on top of other foods rather than warm or at room temperature.
Salda de Aguacate is a salsa verde but with the addition of avocado. The avocado is thought to help counter the spiciness of the peppers. This is also typically chilled before serving, and perhaps also has been “ruined” by millennials.
Salsa Criollo is unique in that it does not use any tomatoes and instead uses red onions. The onions are diced and combined with salt, aji Amarillo peppers, lime juice, and cilantro. It’s not as common, but it is enjoyable if you like a raw garnish. It should almost always be served with a breath mint.
Check out some of Borracha’s slamming salsa on their Instagram, and make sure to reserve your seat to try out these spicy treats at Borracha here!