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Homemade Clam Chowder

AD PROOF

e Inn

Ad Executive: Warren Barrett

(805) 648-2244

over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and ceive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom.

ISSUE: 6/6/19

AX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

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Cynthia Hernandez and Erica Mata, representing Tacos Don Chente, which has same owners as Limon Y Sal and El Pescador.

Tingling taste buds at Salsa Festival by Kateri Wozni

S

alsa and chips are one of my favorite snacks, so when I was asked to judge this year’s Amateur Salsa Recipe Contest at the 26th annual Oxnard Festival,isI jumped at the chance. s correct p address is correct p expiration date is correct pSalsa spelling correct For two hours, 13 judges (one was Top Chef Junior contestant Carson Peterson of Ventura and Port HuenDEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR eme TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE. Chief of Police Andrew Salinas) and I were seated at tables of swimming in 23 salsa entries, which were cated by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property Southland Publishing. egorized as red, hot, medium, placement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the green, express consent of mild and specialty/ fruit. We rated their flavor on a scale of 1 to 5. plus any applicable fees. My favorite red salsa was the first one I randomly tried p OK to run that had a light tomato flavor with a bit of jalapeño pepfor accuracy and is per on the finish. It ended up being a tie for “Best Red.” p OK to run After more tastings, we broke the tie and Michael Rodriquality of reproduction. with correction guez of Oxnard took the honors with his roasted tomato salsa, which was also amazing. Rodriguez also won “Best Medium.” Another of my favorites — and also a winner — was a “Best Specialty” mango salsa with peppers made by Karen Silvers of Chatsworth. The “Best Green” salsa was made by Sandra Haig of San Jacinto and she also won $100 for “Judges Choice.” Next I hopped over to the Salsa Tasting Tent, where I swam in more salsa and hot sauces from 15 local restaurants and grocers. For $5, each person received a bag of chips and 10 tasting tickets. First up, I tried a green salsa from Vallarta Supermarkets (Oxnard), which had a tangy flavor to it, followed by a fresh pico de gallo. Next I filled a chip with a sweet and smoky barbecue salsa made by Chiliiman Salsa (Ventura), followed by a garlic salsa that had a six out of 10 on the heat scale (I survived). At the Sabor Pa’todo (Oxnard) table, I tried the hot and mild salsas, which had a lemon base mixed with the perfect blend of habanero, garlic, salt and tomato. Remember HiHo Restaurant in Ventura? It closed in 2007, but the iconic original sauce sells on Amazon, filled with tomatoes, peppers with a sweet finish. Tacos Don Chente (Oxnard) had won “Best Specialty” and “Judges

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— August 1, 2019

Choice” and I indulged in the Salsa de Aguacate and Salsa Quemada that was full of lemon and pepper. At Montezuma’s table (Oxnard), the restaurant focused more on the flavor and, trust me, the spice snuck up on me after a full minute from tasting the “Best Hot” habanero salsa. My final destination was the Orozco’s de Ventura’s table, which had a Salsa de Molcajete Rostisada with roasted tomato filled with peppers and garlic, which also won “Best Medium.” It was my personal No. 1 pick. I swam out of the salsa pool alive and believe me, it was worth every bite. Congratulations to all of the winners!

Salsa Recipe Contest/Professional Division Best Mild: BG’s Café picante salsa Best Medium: Orozco’s de Ventura Best Hot: Montezuma Restaurant Best Red: BG’s Café Best Green: BG’s Café Best Specialty: Tacos Don Chente Judges Choice: Tacos Don Chente

Salsa Recipe Contest/Amateur Division Best Hot: Toni Becerra — Red Bluff, Calif. Best Medium: Michael Rodriguez — Oxnard Best Mild: Dos Margaritas — Houston Best Red: Michael Rodriguez — Oxnard Best Green: Sandra Haig — San Jacinto, CA Best Specialty: Karen Silvers — Chatsworth, CA Judges Choice: Sandra Haig — San Jacinto, CA