Certain foods are inextricably linked with game day parties or lightening up your mood: chicken wings, nachos, chilli, guacamole … and salsa. And while you can always pop open a jar, homemade salsa is extremely simple to make. The only skill it requires is a willingness to chop, mince and dice.

Everyone loves a classic tomato-based salsa, but if you want to shake things up a bit, there’s no easier way to liven up your spread than to play with different fruit-based salsas. And while there are dozens of tomato-based choices, you can also find more exotic offerings, many of them fruit-forward. And those can become an inspiration for our homemade versions.

Popular salsa variations include peach, mango, pineapple, black bean and corn, avocado, and green tomatillo.

What DOESN’T salsa go with? Clearly, it works well with chips (potato, tortilla, pita and so on). Definitely nachos, tacos, burritos, quesadillas. Ditto an assortment of raw veggies, from carrots to cucumber slices to planks of jicama. A scoop of salsa on a bowl of chilli is a terrific contrasting topper. Chicken wings benefit from a dunk in bright spicy salsa. And a spoonful is excellent atop a burger or slider.

Whether you are hosting a game night or a party or even treating yourself to good food, you really need to try out these amazing ideas-

PINEAPPLE-MINT-JALAPENO SALSA

This so, so pretty and colourful salsa is truly refreshing, even with the kick from the jalapenos (and of course, the amount of jalapeño can be adjusted as desired). The sweetness of the pineapple is a bright surprising base. If you use two different-coloured bell peppers, the salsa gets that much more colourful, but if you use just one pepper of any colour that’s absolutely fine, too. Try this with teriyaki beef skewers or pulled pork sandwiches.

In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups ¼-inch diced pineapple, ½ cup diced bell pepper (any colour or mix of colours), 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped mint, 1 teaspoon minced jalapeno (or more to taste), 1 tablespoon lime juice and salt to taste.

TROPICAL FRUIT SALSA

In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup finely diced pineapple, ½ cup finely diced mango, ½ cup finely diced papaya (or additional mango), ½ cup finely diced red bell pepper, ½ cup finely diced onion, 1 kiwi peeled and finely diced, 1 teaspoon minced jalapeno, 2 teaspoons minced cilantro, the juice of 1 lime, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste, pinch cayenne pepper, and salt to taste.

SPICY PEAR SALSA

Also, remember this next time you make a roasted pork loin or cook a turkey breast. The pomegranate seeds are optional, but they sure do offer a lot of visual appeals, not to mention crunchy pops of sweet-tart flavour. You can use whatever pears you have around, making sure they are ripe but still firm so they hold their shape when diced.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)