Salsa

Set out all of the components of this fun and delicious dish and allow guests to add their own toppings. Because the chili is meatless, the vegetarians in the crowd can also enjoy this meal by simply omitting the crispy cubed-pork topping.

Papaya brings a fresh twist to the traditional tomato salsa.

This sweet and spicy salsa takes the place of the more traditional cranberry sauce. To retain the peppers' subtle smokiness, avoid rinsing them after they've been peeled. Instead, dip your fingers in a small bowl of water to help remove any clingy seeds or skin.

Salsa verde cruda This all-raw salsa can be thrown together in just ten minutes. And because it's made with tomatillos rather than tomatoes, it's less sweet and more refreshing than the more familiar red salsa. (We also think it's more interesting for topping Mexican dishes such as huevos rancheros or for eating with tortilla chips.)

Serve cooled, leftover salsa with chips.

Fiery habaneros impart brightness to a rich pork dish like Yucatecan-style pork.

Spaghetti con Salsa di Olive e Pinoli All'arturo This pretty, confetti-like dish is sure to become one of your weekday standbys. Not only is it easy to prepare, but you've likely got all the ingredients right there in your fridge. The trick is to hand-chop everything very finely, so that you get just the right amount of fiery crunch in every bite.

Broiling tomatoes and onions concentrates their flavor in this spicy salsa that's good any time of the year.

It's the spicy, garlicky tomatillo salsa that really sells these addictive tostadas. Frying store-bought corn tortillas heightens the vibrancy of their corn flavor and creates a crisp foundation for the refried black beans, shredded romaine, lush avocado, and creamy queso fresco.

Most salsas are too chunky and juicy to use as a dip. This one is finely puréed, with olive oil added to thicken it.

Accompanies Alambre de Camarones, Alambres de Camarones.

You can stuff five or six healthy vegetables into salsa (tomatoes, peppers, scallions, garlic, corn, whatever else is left in the crisper bin) then use that salsa five or six different ways (on fish, on chicken, in a burrito or, of course, on a delicious corn chip. You can make salsa in minutes. It keeps forever. It is the antidote to any of your vegetable woes!

Editor's note: This recipe was included with two others from our roundup of great cookbooks for Dad. Use this fresh, spicy salsa to top grilled steak tacos or as a dip for tortilla chips.