Sunday, February 12, 2012

crunchy mango salad

the addition of daikon makes this salad crunchy and addictive
A few weeks ago Ryan's cousins (students living off caf food) came for dinner and we decided to go thai... this mango salad was a hit so I thought I'd share it.  It's got classic mango salad flavours with a bit of a twist - daikon.  Daikon is a type of radish that is milder than red radishes but still has a good bite and a bit of heat - it looks like a giant white carrot.  And don't be afraid of fish sauce...it's kind of like how anchovies add that special something to a great caesar salad.

what you need:
  • 1 large mango (slightly unripened best)
  • 1/2 large daikon
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 large handful of baby spinach
  • 2 green onions
  • 1 big handful of cilantro
  • 1 lime (for garnish)
     dressing:
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1-2 thai chilies
  • 1 lime's zest and juice
  • 1 1/2 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp canola oil
what to do:
  1. Finely mince garlic and chilies.  Mix all dressing ingredients together and set aside in fridge, preferably for 15 or more minutes.
  2. Julienne mango, red pepper, and daikon to approximately the same sizes.  Roughly chop cilantro and cut green onion on a diagonal bias into thin blades.  Toss all vegetables together (except for spinach) - and then toss with dressing.  
  3. On your serving plate, place a thin bed of spinach down and generously pile with mango salad.  (Whenever I have mango salad in thai restaurants it's served on a romaine leaf...I used spinach just for a bit more nutrition).  Serve with a few wedges of extra lime to squeeze on top, as desired.  Enjoy!

5 comments:

  1. I have had this salad made by Tati, of course, and it is amazing! Everyone needs to try it! I cannot stop drooling!!! Yummmmmmm....

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    1. marina, we need a dinner cooking date when you get back from your travels!

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  2. Winter is coming to a close for us here in Ontario, well fingers crossed it is, and looking at salads and wanting salads. Isn't it funny we go to the pot of stew and warm soups all winter and then as soon as the sun shines we are all about the salads.
    Your salad looks wonderful and I look forward to trying and sharing with my family, thanks for sharing.

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    1. thanks for stopping by! can't wait for the sun...although it's been quite a mild winter here in kingston:)

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  3. That's wonderful, I just signed up on your site:)

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