Our last shipment from My Favorite New Mexico Foods came with a gift. That gift was a huge bottle of Spicy Cocktail Salsa. Here’s their description of the salsa:

“Gulf of New Mexico” Spicy Seafood Salsa is the perfect accompaniment for all seafood and fish! Its unique ingredients feature not only the horseradish and tomatoes found in traditional cocktail sauce, but also the authentic flavors of New Mexico green chile, jalapenos, garlic, onion, and MFNM Foods special seasonings. Taste tests have shown that shrimp cocktail is a favorite, OR combine one part Spicy Seafood Salsa and two parts mayonnaise for a delicious tartar or remoulade sauce.

During one of our many shrimp adventures over the winter we tried this salsa for the first time.

The first thing you realize about the My Favorite New Mexico Foods Spicy Cocktail Salsa is that it is very similar to a cocktail sauce in it’s taste. However, it is not as heavy as cocktail sauce and much, much more fresh tasting. It really doesn’t taste like it’s come out of a sealed bottle. It tastes like you had just master designed this in your own kitchen.

One aspect that separates this product from the 101 other cocktail sauces out there is the very specific taste of New Mexican chiles. It’s actually surprising how distinctly the flavor comes across. The slight buzz of the peppers remains on your tongue yet the flavor of the horseradish lingers nicely. It has a pretty strong garlic punch, so if you don’t like garlic you may not like this all that much. But, if you like garlic, like me, this hits the spot!

This salsa is the perfect accompaniment to shrimp of any variety, be it fried, peel & eat, shrimp kabobs, etc. It is also a great base for shrimp cocktail. In fact, I believe this salsa is at it’s best when it is iced cold.

While the taste may be similar to cocktail sauce, as already mentioned, I think it’s important to note that this is in a league of its own. Comparing it would be like comparing apples to oranges. If given a choice between this salsa and all of those other sauces, I would choose this one hands down. It doesn’t overpower. It allows the full flavor of seafood to come out and shine.

In closing, I have to add that I was thrilled to be on the page in Chile Pepper magazine in which My Favorite New Mexico Foods was advertised. They are one of our favorite manufacturers. I hope they got some love on their turf in New Mexico too. They are the real taste of New Mexico.

Ingredients: tomatoes (tomatoes, tomato juice, salt, calcium chloride, citric acid), ketchup, water, fresh New Mexico green chile, fresh onion, fresh New Mexico jalapeno, fresh garlic, horseradish powder, fresh lime juice, fresh lemon juice, salt, spices

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