Salsa & Salsa in Cabo

Cabo sunrise from our balcony

Today we’re in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Cabo (as it’s often called) is a city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. It is known for its sandy beaches, world class scuba diving, seaside resorts and local landmark El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, a distinctive rocky sea arch. It has become a popular vacation and spa destination. It’s also the home of the largest marlin tournament in the world. 

In the winter, pods of whales can be seen in the ocean, because they come to have their calves in the warm waters here. Many large boats and yachts crowd the harbor. It is a port where cruise ships must tender in.

 

lots of beautiful ships in the harbor

Cabo San Lucas Golf Resort

Bienvenidas!

our guide Javier's hat (eeuw)

Our excursion today was titled “Salsa and Salsa” because we learned to make 5 different kinds of salsa and also learned a little bit of the salsa dance. After tendering in, we were driven to Cabo San Lucas Golf Resort where we sat in groups of 8 or 10 around round tables. We each were given chef’s hats and aprons to wear. We were also warned to use only the knife, not touching the serrano peppers with our bare hands (it’s easy to forget and touch your eyes, nose, etc). Some poor lady forgot and paid a heavy price. We all felt sorry for her.

 

all ingredients to make good salsa

Ronnie carefully removing serrano seeds

All of the ingredients and utensils needed to make salsa were already prepared and all we had to do was follow the instructions. Each pair of us had our own a molcajete, the traditional Mexican tool for smashing tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers and cilantro together. All the vegetables had been pre-roasted, so all we had to do was dice everything into smaller pieces and start smashing with the stone pestle. Everyone made it to their own taste, using seeds or leaving them out (the amount of seeds determine the amount of heat). Once it was ground into a desirable consistency, we squeezed lime juice into the mixture along with some salt. So our first one was a Spicy Red Tomato salsa and it was yummy.

Our second recipe was for a Tangy Green Salsa, and it was made of similar ingredients except with tomatillos rather than red tomatoes. Do you know what family tomatillos come from? I would have never guessed – gooseberries! Anyway, we basically went through all the same steps to make that one. Of course we are eating as we go, as we all had bowls of chips in front of us.

 

Next, we were shown the easiest way to cut and remove the seed from the avocado and we made a third type of salsa – Oaxacan Style Guacamole. Everything was fresh and I must say, delicious. We were also served quesadillas and potato taquitos to eat along with our salsas.

 

they had recipe books for sale but you can find them online

After that, we made a basic Pico de Gallo salsa (raw, not roasted veggies) followed by a Tropical Salsa from chopped fresh pineapple, cantaloupe, coconut and lime juice. That was eaten over vanilla ice cream. Needless to say, we were stuffed by the time we had made (and sampled) all 5 different salsas. I forgot to mention that those who wanted margaritas made those as well and we teetotalers made ours by substituting regular water and simple syrup for the tequila. Our hosts also demonstrated making fresh strawberry daiquiris - with and without alcohol. We were also served sweet hibiscus tea. I mixed mine with the non-alcoholic margarita and it was very refreshing! 

No one was getting away without learning the salsa dance, so after tables were cleared, everyone had a salsa lesson. Another lady from the ship and I were dance partners. What a surprise when we won the “Most Tenacious” award. I still haven’t decided if that was a compliment or not! Afterwards we were driven back to the port. Everything there is geared around the tourists. Music is as obnoxious as the street and store merchants. Merchants will charge whatever you look like you might be willing to pay. If I’m looking to buy something, I much prefer to see a price tag and decide if I will buy it vs someone quoting me a ridiculous price and then following me out of the store as the price continues to come down. 

At dinner tonight we ate with a very interesting couple from the UK. All in all, it's been a very good day. Below are some more random photos from today.

 

salsa class group shot

salsa chefs

Most Tenacious

colorful Cabo