Bright, Spicy, and Sweet Mango Salad
Transforming Costco’s Polarizing Canned Mango into a Delightful Salad
This salad is designed to elevate the canned mangoes from Costco, which can be a bit divisive. If you’ve tried them, you know they sometimes lack the ideal texture and sweetness. This recipe reveals the secret to unlocking their potential! Get ready to discover how to make those mangoes shine.
Main Ingredients- Del Monte Sliced Mangoes in Syrup, 1 can (Costco product)
Additional Ingredients- 1/2 red onion
- 1 Tbsp pineapple vinegar
Dressing Ingredients- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 chili pepper (e.g., Serrano or jalapeño, for spice)
- 1 red chili pepper (for color and mild spice)
- 1/2 red onion
- 1 Tbsp pineapple vinegar
Dressing Ingredients- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 chili pepper (e.g., Serrano or jalapeño, for spice)
- 1 red chili pepper (for color and mild spice)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start with the star of our salad: the Del Monte canned sliced mangoes from Costco. These come packed in syrup. If you’ve tasted them before, you might have found they weren’t quite as sweet or soft as you expected. But don’t worry, this recipe is all about bringing out the best in them!
Step 2
Next, we’ll prepare the supporting ingredients that add freshness and vibrant flavors. You’ll need 1/2 red onion, 1 lemon (for its juice), and 1 green chili pepper and 1 red chili pepper for a touch of heat and beautiful color.
Step 3
Take the 1/2 red onion, peel it, rinse it well under cold water, and then slice it as thinly as possible. Thin slices will mellow out the onion’s sharpness while keeping a pleasant crunch, making it a perfect addition to the salad.
Step 4
Place the thinly sliced red onion into a small bowl and add 1 tablespoon of pineapple vinegar. Let it soak for about 5 minutes. The pineapple vinegar will gently soften the onion, reduce any harshness, and impart a lovely sweet and tangy flavor. It also helps to enhance the onion’s beautiful purple hue, making the salad visually appealing. This step ensures the onion complements the mango perfectly.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the chili peppers for a spicy kick and visual appeal. Slit the green and red chili peppers lengthwise and carefully remove all the seeds. Removing the seeds helps to control the level of heat in the salad, preventing it from becoming overwhelmingly spicy. It also creates a cleaner look for the chili pieces, adding an element of elegance to your presentation.
Step 6
Finely mince the prepared green and red chili peppers. The smaller the dice, the more evenly their flavor and aroma will distribute throughout the dressing. Meanwhile, cut the lemon in half and use a citrus squeezer to extract fresh lemon juice. This bright citrus juice is crucial for lifting the salad’s overall flavor profile.
Step 7
It’s time to make our delicious dressing! Start by adding 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar to a small mixing bowl. The bright acidity of the white wine vinegar will help to awaken the flavors of all the ingredients.
Step 8
Next, pour in 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. The olive oil adds a smooth richness to the dressing and helps to meld all the flavors together harmoniously.
Step 9
Now, add the fresh lemon juice you squeezed earlier. The zing of the lemon juice will further enhance the dressing’s refreshing quality.
Step 10
Finally, add the finely minced green and red chili peppers to the dressing bowl. Whisk everything together until well combined. You’ve now created a wonderfully balanced dressing with the pleasant heat from the chilies, the tang of lemon, and the smooth base of olive oil and vinegar!
Step 11
It’s time for the grand finale: assembling the salad! Carefully arrange the drained canned mango slices on a serving platter or in a salad bowl. Artfully place the red onion slices, now beautifully tinged purple from the pineapple vinegar, over the mangoes. Drizzle the freshly made, zesty, and slightly spicy dressing generously over the top. Behold, your vibrant and flavorful Mango Salad is ready to be enjoyed! Dig in and savor every bite.
