Recipe-o'-clock: Make this delicious Thai mango salad at home
Thai mango salad, emerging from Thailand's vibrant culinary tradition, is a refreshing mix of sweet, sour, and spicy. Often savored as a light meal or appetizer, it is particularly beloved during mango season when the fruit is most succulent. Requiring no cooking, it's an excellent choice for a quick, healthful dish. Let's begin preparing this invigorating salad.
Gather the following ingredients
For this zesty salad, gather one large julienned ripe mango, a thinly sliced red bell pepper, half a cup of sliced red onion, one julienned cucumber, half a cup of cilantro leaves, and two tablespoons of crushed roasted peanuts. For the dressing, gather and mix two tablespoons of soy sauce, one tablespoon of maple syrup or sugar alternative, lime juice, and a teaspoon of grated ginger.
Prepare the mango and vegetables
Begin by peeling your ripe mango and cutting it into thin julienned strips. Similarly, julienne your cucumber after washing it thoroughly. Thinly slice your red bell pepper and red onion to match the size of your mango strips. The key here is to ensure all components are roughly equal in size for an even distribution of flavors.
Mix up the dressing
In a small bowl, combine two tablespoons of soy sauce with the same amount of lime juice. Add one tablespoon of maple syrup or your chosen sugar alternative and a teaspoon of grated ginger. Whisk these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth. This dressing is crucial for achieving the distinctive Thai flavor profile, blending the syrup's sweetness with the sharpness of lime juice.
Toss the salad together
In a large bowl, mix the julienned mangoes, sliced cucumber, red bell peppers, and red onions. Toss in the cilantro leaves. Evenly pour the prepared dressing over the mix to coat every ingredient with its sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Gently toss the salad to combine the elements well, taking care not to break any of the tender strips.
Garnish and serve
Place your Thai mango salad into a serving dish or onto individual plates, according to your preference. Generously sprinkle the top with crushed roasted peanuts, providing a delightful crunch that perfectly balances the softer textures of the fresh ingredients. This dish is now ready to be enjoyed immediately, offering a vibrant and invigorating option for a starter or a light and wholesome meal.
