I Like Mine With Salsa! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sugar

It is believed that sugar was first used in New Guinea in approximately 8000 BC, and it was in Southeast Asia, China, and India, where sugar was first processed into the granulated crystal form that is common today. Some websites claim that adding sugar to salsa may make it too sweet for some tastes; apparently it is important to see if sugar has been added to the other ingredients that are used if they have been commercially canned. If that is the case, the 1/4 teaspoon of sugar in the Pioneer Woman's recipe may not be needed.

While the opportunity presents itself, let's try to find some foods that taste good with salsa. I think it's important to begin with everyone's favorite - chips! Together they are a relatively healthy snack - as long as you don't eat the entire bag of chips(!) - and they go with a wide variety of other foods.

Answer: Tomato

Historians believe that the use of the tomato as a domesticated crop may have begun in Mexico sometime before 500 BC. European explorers who came into contact with the Aztecs there are known to have introduced the plant, once believed to be poisonous, to their respective countries. Should it be any surprise, therefore, that tomatoes are used in many Mexican dishes, especially sauces, either as a main ingredient or garnish of some sort? A 28-ounce can of whole tomatoes with juice is added to Ree Drummond's "Restaurant-Style Salsa" recipe.

While we're thinking of uses for salsa, let's not forget about another typically American food - corn bread. Mexican corn bread and be made by simply mixing salsa with a Jiffy mix. Don't forget the sour cream on top!

Answer: Onion

Although there are many types of onion, it is common to find that Mexican dishes include the Mexican white onion, known for its sweetness after being sautéed. The one drawback to using the white onion is that it does not store as long as some of the other varieties after it has been peeled. Onions are known, however, for their health benefits, which include containing a B vitamin that assists the body in producing new cells. Drummond's salsa recipe calls for 1/4 cup of chopped onion.

Anybody out there like meatloaf? Mixing salsa with your hamburger mixture - or putting the salsa on top of your normal meatloaf recipe - adds a bit of extra flavor.

Answer: Salt

Salt, which is considered to be one of the oldest food seasonings, is not only a taste sensation, but also an important part of a healthy diet. Salt enables our bodies to perform important functions, such as the transmitting of nerve impulses and the maintaining of fluid balance. It is important, however, to not overuse salt as an additive in a recipe, as it is already found in many processed foods that we eat, and may be present in canned foods that are part of the Pioneer Woman's salsa recipe. It only calls for 1/4 teaspoon.

On the theme of being part of a healthy diet, have you ever used a lettuce leaf as a burrito shell and wrapped salsa inside? Salsa is also good on salad and is typically lower in caloric content than many dressings.

Answer: Ro-Tel

Ro-Tel is a mixture that can be purchased at grocery stores in the United States; consisting of tomatoes and green chilies in varying degrees of spiciness, the mixture was named for its inventor, Carl Roettele. He began a family canning business in Texas in the 1940s. Drummond's salsa recipe calls for two 10-ounce cans of a mixture that resembles Ro-Tel.

And speaking of foods to make with salsa! Have you ever melted cheese and added salsa or Ro-Tel? It makes quite a tasty dip! Add some cooked ground beef or sausage, along with some other toppings, and you have a tasty meal of nachos!

Answer: Cilantro

Although it is also called Chinese parsley, cilantro is actually native to Iran. Found growing wild in Southeast Asia and parts of Europe, it has also been cultivated for thousands of years. Not only were coriander mericarps found in a storage container in King Tut's tomb, there is also evidence that it was used by the ancient Mycenaeans to make perfume. While all parts of the plant are edible, both the seeds and the leaves are typically what are used to flavor food; in the U.S. the leaves are called cilantro, which is the Spanish name for coriander. The Pioneer Woman's recipe for salsa calls for at least 1/2 cup (or more to taste) of cilantro.

Here's another idea for a recipe made with salsa. Are you the type of person who likes a variety of ingredients mixed with eggs? How about poaching eggs in salsa and using the mixture to top some Southern grits? Yummy!

Answer: Garlic Clove

Did you know that 80% of the world's supply of garlic is produced in China? Most types of the garlic plant have a bulb that can be divided into sections called cloves, which are used for either cooking or medicinal purposes; during WWI and WWII garlic was used as an antiseptic to prevent gangrene. Although several studies have attempted to prove that garlic provides some health benefits, they have been inconclusive. It has also been used as an adhesive to repair glass and as an insecticide. In her salsa recipe, Drummond uses 1 clove garlic, minced.

Let's not forgot to include soups made with salsa on our list of delicious foods. Many recipes for tortilla soup are made in part with salsa, and it is a delicious ingredient in corn chowder as well.

Answer: Jalapeno

Jalapeno peppers may have a wide range of strong smell or taste - anywhere from 3,500 to 8,000 Scoville units, a scale that measures pungency. Although there are different colors to choose from as the pepper turns from green to red to orange to yellow as it matures, it is commonly eaten while it is still green. While traditionally grown near Veracruz, Mexico, today jalapeno peppers are grown world-wide. One jalapeno, drawn and quartered, and including the seeds and skin is included in Ree Drummond's "Restaurant-Style Salsa" recipe.

So you think I might be running out of ideas for recipes that work well with salsa? Never! How about eating it with potatoes? Salsa works well as a topping on baked potatoes, but don't forget about adding it to mashed potatoes too!

Answer: Cumin

The seeds of the cumin plant are found in many recipes either whole or ground. Used as a food spice for centuries, there is also evidence that the ancient Egyptians used cumin in the mummification ritual. It was so popular in ancient Greece that it is written the people kept it in a shaker on their table, much like salt and pepper are today. Spanish and Portuguese explorers introduced the plant to the Americas. While many today have claimed health benefits related to the intake of the spice, it had not been proven; for example, in addition to adding flavor to salsa, it is also said to aid in digestion. The Pioneer Woman's salsa recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin.

I really like fish, don't you? It has many healthy benefits, so why cover it with sauces that are high in calories? Salsa, with its mixture of flavors, compliments just about any type of fish, irregardless of how it is prepared.

Answer: Lime

A rich source of Vitamin C, a fact to which British sailors of the 19th century could attest, it is believed that limes were introduced from Asia to the Mediterranean area by 1000. Lime juice can add a unique flavor to foods; in Mexico the "Citrus aurantifolia", or Mexican lime, is used in many foods and drinks, but it also is believed to have medicinal value. It is said that lime juice can cure, not only insomnia, but also tired eyes. Mixed with onions and honey, it is said to be a cure for respiratory problems, such as bronchitis. Drummond's salsa recipe calls for 1/2 whole lime, juiced.

If you like to eat pickle relish and onions on your hot dogs, why not try salsa next time? For a tasty Mexican hotdog, add avocado and beans too!