Make (And Share!) Your Very Own Homemade Pico de Gallo

Pico de gallo is a wonderful condiment to serve up with your favorite Mexican and Spanish dishes. Whether scooped onto a tortilla chip or piled onto a taco, pico de gallo has a bold, fresh flavor that you simply can’t get with basic salsa alone.

Think you don’t have the time? Believe it or not, it’s easier and quicker than you think. All you need is 20 minutes to prep and an additional 20 minutes to let the flavors of the salsa fresca develop.

Making Delicious Macayo’s Pico de Gallo

You only need six basic ingredients to create salsa fresca at home. These ingredients are:

  • 2 lbs roma tomatoes, diced
  • ¾ lbs white onions, diced
  • 1 ¼ oz. jalapeno, diced
  • ½ oz. cucumber, diced
  • 2 oz. cilantro, chopped
  • ¾ oz. salt

This recipe will make six servings of pico de gallo, which should be enough for your typical meal for four and then some. If you want to have leftovers (to give to friends, to keep for yourself, or both), you can easily double your recipe as well.

Once you’ve chopped up all of your ingredients by hand, start by mixing the red onion, jalepeño, and lime juice into a bowl. Let it sit for about five or ten minutes, which will give a chance for the flavors to develop. Then, mix in your remaining ingredients and let the flavors develop for an additional 15 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Gifting Your Homemade Pico de Gallo

Rather than keeping all your delicious pico de gallo to yourself, however, why not gift it to some of your friends and loved ones? After all, nothing makes a better gift than homemade food with fresh ingredients. 

A fun and creative way to gift your pico s to put it into mason jars, which you can buy for a dollar or less at most grocery stores. Not only are mason jars cute and easy to decorate, but they hold the perfect amount of pico and will help to keep it fresh as well. Consider wrapping a fun bow around the jar to add a little decoration as well. Your friends will love it!

This pico de gallo recipe is perfect for your next Mexican food night, so be sure to give it a try! For more fun, easy and creative recipes, visit our recipe page and follow our blog! 

How to Make Your Own Fresh, Delicious Salsa at Home

Sure, you can always buy pre-made salsa in a jar at your local grocery store, but if you’ve ever tasted fresh, homemade salsa, then you know just how delicious it can be. Have you ever thought about trying to make your own salsa with fresh ingredients at home? It’s easier than you think, and you probably have a lot (or even all) of the ingredients you need on-hand.

Ingredients

For a delicious restaurant-style salsa, you’ll just need some simple ingredients and spices. Specifically, to create a large batch of homemade salsa (enough for 8-10 people), you’re going to need:

  • 5 large roma tomatoes, diced
  • 2 large roma tomatoes, cut into quarters
  • 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
  • ¼ cup red onion, chopped
  • 1 clove fresh garlic, diced
  • 1 jalapeno, cut into quarters
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • juice from one lime

Directions

Once you’ve got all your ingredients measured out, put them all into a food processor. Then, pulse the ingredients in the food processor until you’ve reached your desired consistency. Feel free to sneak a taste test with a tortilla chip to ensure the flavor is just right. You can always add more seasonings as needed.

If you like extra hot and spicy salsa, then you might want to use more than one jalepeño as well. And make sure, whenever possible, you use fresh ingredients. While dried cilantro and bottled lime juice might make your life a little easier, fresh ingredients really do make all the difference in this recipe.

Before serving up your salsa, you’ll want to refrigerate it for at least an hour. This will help give all the flavors a chance to fully develop.

What About Storage?

This homemade salsa recipe makes a very large batch of salsa, so unless you’re serving this up at a huge party, you’re probably going to have a decent amount of leftovers. The key to keeping your salsa tasting fresh for a long time to come is to store it properly.

For best results, you should store your salsa in an air-tight container, such as a mason jar, and keep it in the refrigerator. Your salsa should stay fresh for at least a week this way.

As you can see, making homemade salsa is quite simple and doesn’t take more than a few minutes of your time, some basic ingredients, and a food processor. By keeping these homemade salsa tips in mind, you’ll be sure to wow your guests at your next gathering!

Set Up a Margarita Bar at Your Next Gathering

You can’t have a fiesta without margaritas. At the same time, however, hosting a fiesta and being responsible for “tending the bar” can be time consuming and can keep you from having a good time and socializing with your guests. As such, you might want to consider freeing yourself from the burden of making drinks for your guests by setting up a self-service margarita bar at your next gathering!

Stock Up on Tequilas and Liqueuers

Of course, a wide variety of tequilas and liqueurs is a must for any margarita bar. You’ll want to make sure you’ve got plenty of different types of tequila to choose from, including tequila that’s great for making cocktails (such as a blanco tequila) and tequila that can be enjoyed on-the-rocks, as well.

Furthermore, different fruits and liqueurs can help to add sweetness and depth of flavor to your guests’ margaritas. Some specific flavors to have on-hand include strawberry, mango and citrus. To really spice things up, you might even want to consider infusing some of your tequilas with fruits or chiles.

Don’t Forget the Mixers

In addition to liquor, you’ll want to have some non-alcoholic mixers that guests can mix into their beverages. Fresh lime juice, lemon juice, and orange juice are all staples of many tequila-based cocktails, such as margaritas. Sweet and sour mix is a must have. You can buy at your local liquor store or even make on your own, a great low calorie option, with the following ingredients:

  • fresh lemon juice
  • fresh lime juice
  • simple syrup
  • orange juice
  • water

Offer Spices and Garnishes

Margaritas are all about the spices and garnishes, so make sure to provide plenty of options guests can use to spruce up their cocktails. For starters, you’ll want to set up a tray lined with salt that people can dip their rims in. And since some people prefer sugar to salt, you’ll want to make sure to provide different sugars and other spices (such as dried ginger) for your guests. If you have a spice grinder, you can make these yourself, or you can save yourself some time and buy them fresh at your local market.

Very Simple, Very Quick Margarita Recipes You Need to Try

Nothing’s more refreshing after a long day than relaxing with a freshly made margarita. Whether you enjoy them frozen or on-the-rocks, there are plenty of easy margarita recipes out there that don’t require much time, effort, or a huge list of ingredients. Consider giving one (or all) of these a try tonight!

Margarita With Orange Juice

If you like your drinks a little on the sweeter side, consider amping up your cocktail with a splash of citrus flavor. This simple margarita recipe incorporates fresh orange juice for a margarita that’s truly out of this world. To make this cocktail, you’ll need:

  • two ounces of tequila
  • an ounce of Triple Sec
  • an ounce of fresh orange juice
  • a third-ounce of lime juice
  • salt for the rim
  • a fresh orange slice for garnish

The great thing about this recipe is that it doesn’t require much more work or many more ingredients than that of a classic margarita. To create this yummy concoction, start with a cocktail shaker full of ice, then add the tequila, Triple Sec, orange juice, and lime juice. You can squeeze your own orange and lime juice for the freshest taste, or use store-bought for convenience.

Shake the ingredients in the cocktail shaker and then strain over a salt-rimmed margarita glass. Garnish with a freshly cut orange wedge or a gorgeous, tasty, and easy-to-make treat. You can also make this in a blender if you’d prefer it frozen.

Margarita With Simple Syrup

What if you’re in the mood for a refreshing margarita but *gasp* don’t have any Triple Sec on hand? Well, you could always run out to the store, but that defeats the purpose of having a simple recipe, relaxing, and not spending a lot of time on putting together a delicious cocktail. Fortunately, you can make a yummy margarita without the need for Triple Sec; all you need is to know how to make simple syrup, which serves as an excellent substitution.

To make simple syrup, all you need is:

  • sugar
  • water
  • a saucepan

Add one cup of sugar to one cup of water and put on low heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Yeah, it’s really that simple! However, since simple syrup (unlike Triple Sec) doesn’t contain any alcohol, you’ll want to up your recipe to include:

  • three ounces of tequila
  • an ounce of simple syrup
  • an ounce of lime juice
  • salt for the rim
  • a lime wedge for garnish

You know the drill by now, right? Add the liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, then shake and strain over a salt-rimmed margarita glass. Garnish with a freshly cut lime wedge. You can also add a splash of orange juice or orange liqueur to this recipe if you want a sweeter and more citrus flavor, but that’s up to you.

Could these margarita recipes get any easier? Go ahead! Go whip one up for yourself; you deserve one after all that reading!

The Ultimate Frozen Margarita

Margaritas are one of the most memorable, classic summer cocktails to enjoy – obviously, we’re big fans here! There may be some that swear by a margarita on the rocks, but as the temperatures soar, we like to mix up our choices, and nothing is more refreshing than a frozen beverage. In the midst of a hot, sweaty summer day, an icy margarita is the ultimate refreshment.

Sometimes it is better to keep things simple: this recipe includes just the basic ingredients: fresh lime juice, tequila, sugar, and lots of ice blended into a frosty mass.

Ingredients

  • 5 cups of ice cubes
  • 3/4 cup tequila – silver is best
  • 2/3 cup fresh lime juice (from 5 to 6 limes)
  • 1/2 cup of Simple Syrup
  • 1/3 cup coarse salt
  • 1 lime wedge, plus 1 more for each serving

Directions

Blend your ice, tequila, splash of lime juice, and simple syrup in a blender until it has reached your desired smoothness. Place a generous amount of salt into a saucer, moisten the 4 rims of your glasses with a lime wedge, and dip each glass into the salt. Serve with lime wedges.

You have just made a batch of easy frozen margarita drinks – but you don’t have to stop there. Why not try adding a few extra ingredients?

  • Make it Fancy: Strawberries, kiwi, or any other kind of fruit makes a great addition to this summer-time potion.
  • Make it Strong: Don’t tell your cocktail purists or margarita connoisseur, but if you really want to mix it up, add a bit of your favorite rum – silver works best, once again!

Whether you like your margarita fruity or on the rocks, sweet or strong, experiment to find the best recipe that matches your taste buds. Make drinks that provide a party for your friends and family and that help you enjoy the simple comforts of good food and good company.

Master Homemade Tortillas

Tortillas were used in South America by indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The Spanish conquistadors coined the name tortilla (in Spain, a tortilla is a flat omelette usually filled with vegetables, or cod, which is cut into quarters like a cake.) While the conquistadors introduced different kinds of meat, certain citrus fruits, garlic, cheese, wheat, and wine to the new world, they brought back items such as chocolate, peanuts, beans, squash, avocados, coconuts, corn and yes, tortillas back to Europe. 

Flour tortillas have a wide range of uses at the kitchen table. They can be eaten with practically anything, from stuffing your favorite foods in one to make a quick wrap on the go, to smoothing a chunk of cheese on a tortilla roll and making a super-thin pizza. Take a look below at how to make homemade flour tortillas.

Ingredients

2 3/4 cups All Purpose Flour (plus extra for dusting)

5 tablespoons Lard

3/4 teaspoon Salt

3/4 cup Warm Water

Medium Bowl

Fork

Skillet

Directions

Using a measuring cup, mix the salt with water. Stir until salt has dissolved. Use a medium bowl and add your lard and flour. Get messy and work the mixture with your hands until it is a fine crumble.

Pour 2/3 of your water into the mixture. Stir the mixture until it is lumpy. Add the remaining water and turn out onto a floured board.

Knead the mix until it really starts to stick together – about 5-10 times should do the trick. Divide the mix into 12 pieces. Place each section into a pan and cover it with plastic wrap and allow the mixture to lay for 30 minutes.

Once the divisions have had ample time to lay and rest, roll each one into a pin shape about 7 inches in diameter. Keep any dough you are not using covered while you mold the other dough. Roll each pin one at a time and cook each one of them individually. Transfer them gently from the plate into the pan.

Put your pan over a medium to high setting, and let each tortilla pin sizzle for about 30-35 seconds. Make sure you do not burn your tortillas! They should be a light brown, not black. If you think you have waited long enough, you have – remove the tortilla!

These tortillas ready to enjoy. Tortillas are best enjoyed with a burrito or taco, particularly the chimichanga, which combines the brittle goodness of a tortilla with your favorite cheese and meat.

A Colorful Cucumber Cilantro Margarita for Spring

With spring in full swing, it’s time to break free of your standard cocktail choices and delight your taste buds with something light and refreshing.

Imagine the first warm day of the spring season; you’re spending time with a few of your closest friends out on your deck or patio, relishing the feeling of the sunlight on your skin as you enjoy the outdoors for the first time in months. What could possibly make this moment sweeter? A colorful cucumber cilantro margarita!

Ingredients

This simple yet amazingly flavorful margarita recipe is spring in a glass. And there’s a good chance that you’ve already got the ingredients you need on-hand. Below are ingredients and directions for creating this light and dreamy cocktail:

In a 22 oz cup, muddle:

2 sprigs of cilantro

2 slices of cucumber (¼ inch cut)

Add: 1 ½ oz. Don Julio Blanco Tequila

¼ oz. Triple Sec

4 oz. Macayo’s Sweet and Sour

Directions

Once you’ve got all your ingredients, fill mixing cup with ice. Shake ingredients in metal shaker. Fill a salt-rimmed 16-oz glass with ice. Pour ingredients over ice, straining out only the liquid into the glass. Garnish with a cucumber wheel and a sprig of cilantro.

Note: If you don’t have any Triple Sec on hand, the good news is that you can substitute it with some simple syrup, which can be made by heating equal parts sugar and water over low heat on your stove top until dissolved. If you use simple syrup instead of Triple Sec, though, it’s recommended that you use at least two ounces of tequila—unless you want a very weak drink, that is!

If you’re looking for an easy margarita recipe that’s great for enjoying on a bright spring day, come on by any Macayo’s location and enjoy our refreshingly cool March Marg of the Month for $8.99!

Springy Citrus Mango Salsa

A simple citrus salsa that highlights the flavors of mango, lemon, lime and orange will brighten up your favorite dishes and give them a burst of flavor. As a superfood, mangoes deliver a nutritional punch, as they’re loaded with potassium, fiber, antioxidants and healthy enzymes, as well as vitamins A, B, C and E.

Amazingly sweet and delicious when eaten on their own, mangoes pair perfectly with a variety of proteins, including pork, chicken and fish. Top flaky grilled snapper or salmon with a helping of mango-citrus salsa, or serve it as a side to tame the spice in barbecued Asian ribs. This simple salsa will also breathe new life into a simple luncheon salad, and it’s also delicious when served with lime-infused tortilla chips.

Mangoes are generally available all year round, though they’re at their peak from late spring to early fall. Look for mangoes that have a bright color and no bruises or other marks. They should be firm but should have a little give when you press them with your thumb. For the most precise cuts, use a serrated knife.

Ingredients

2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

3 tbs red onion, finely chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

1/2 tsp lemon zest

1/2 tsp lime zest

2 tbs. freshly squeezed orange juice, or to taste

2 tbs minced fresh cilantro

Directions

Combine all ingredients. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. For a more savory salsa, substitute 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil for the orange juice and add coarse sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

For more savory recipes, follow our blog and visit our list of recipes!

A Classic Margarita How-To

The margarita is a classic drink that every of-age person should know how to make. Generally consisting of a mixture of tequila, Triple Sec, and lime juice, the margarita is a refreshing concoction that provides that perfect balance of sweet, bitter, sour, and delicious. And as with most famous cocktails (and other inventions), there’s been a bit of controversy over time regarding how the margarita actually came to be.

The most widely believed tale of the margarita’s invention, however, dates back to 1948, when a Dallas-native named Margaret Sames claims to have invented the margarita during one of her many house parties as a socialite. The surprising thing about this, if true, is that this would be the margarita wasn’t actually invented in Mexico!

Others yet believe that the margarita was first invented during or just after the end of Prohibition in the United States. We’ll never really know for sure. However, this doesn’t change the fact that the margarita has become a staple beverage in both American and Mexican culture – and today, you can find all sorts of variations on the classic margarita, including frozen margaritas, fruit margaritas, and everything in between.

What Makes for a Great Margarita?

People tend to have varying opinions when it comes to what makes for a great margarita. For example, some claim that you have to use 100% blue agave tequila in order to make a “true” classic margarita, whereas others claim it’s all about using fresh-squeezed lime juice–none of that stuff you find in the plastic lime bottles at your grocery store. Others still maintain that it’s the large chunks of salt around the rim of the glass that give a margarita that perfect taste. It’s all a matter of personal preference.

Classic Margarita Recipe

Does reading about margaritas have you craving one? Not to worry; we’ve got the perfect classic margarita recipe that you can make at home tonight with just a few simple ingredients.

Start with:

  • 2 oz of 100% blue agave tequila
  • 1 oz Triple Sec
  • 1 oz of freshly squeezed lime juice
  • salt for the rim

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the tequila, Triple Sec, and lime juice, then shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. Before straining out into a margarita glass, lightly wet the rim of the glass before dipping it into a shallow plate of salt. Then, strain the liquid from the cocktail shaker into the glass.

If you want to get a little fancier, consider adding a freshly cut lime wedge to the edge of the glass as a garnish – or a string of lime zest. It won’t affect the taste, but it sure does look pretty.

Now that you understand the controversial history of the margarita and know how to make one for yourself, what are you waiting for? If you’ve got the ingredients on-hand, consider enjoying a classic margarita for yourself tonight, or share them with friends at your next home cocktail party. Visit our recipes page for more fun things to try!

Delicious Salsa Verde

One of our favorite things about salsa is that there are so many wonderful versions – just take a look at all of the diverse and delicious salsa recipes we received for our salsa challenge! We are so grateful for all of the recipes we received! Be sure to check out the My Nana’s Best Tasting Salsa Challenge March 7-8 to see the winners of the entire contest!

A classic salsa recipe we love is Salsa Verde, made with fresh tomatillos. It’s a favorite at Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen and is a fun addition to any chips and salsa spread. Below is a fresh, easy recipe to try at home – just be sure to husk the tomatillos!

Ingredients

  • 8-10 tomatillos
  • 3 Serrano chiles
  • 2/3 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Directions

One way to help peel the tomatillos is to soak them first for about 5 minutes. After soaking, remove husks and clean the tomatillos. Wash chiles and cut off their stems. Cover tomatillos and chiles in a pot of water, bring to a boil, and cook for around 10 minutes or so. You will know the tomatillos are cooked because they will turn a lighter green color. Cool.

Strain the tomatillos and Serrano chiles but keep the liquid in a separate container. In a food processor, blend tomatillos, chiles, garlic gloves, cilantro, juice of one lime, and salt. If the mixture is too think, add some of the boiling liquid. Serve with fresh tortilla chips and enjoy!