Mango Salad Recipe

by Bacontoday.com

From the Mexican mind-set, both buttery avocado and tropical mango derive beautiful benefit from chili, salt and lime. All three form a foundation for this avocado-mango salad’s dressing, along with sautéed garlic’s savory aroma and honey’s mellowness.

Add the crunch of toasted pumpkin seeds, the tenderness of Boston lettuce and the savory saltiness of crisp bacon and fresh Mexican cheese, and you have a compelling salad.


Ingredients:

*(Serves 4)

4 slices bacon

½ cup hulled, untoasted pumpkinseeds

1/3 cup fresh lime juice

1/3 cup vegetable or olive oil

2 garlic cloves, peeled

Fresh hot green chile to taste
(I like 1 large serrano or small jalapeño), stemmed (optional)

1 tablespoon honey

Salt

1 large head Boston/butter head lettuce
(or an equivalent amount of bibb lettuce), leaves separated

2 large ripe avocados

2 ripe mangos

A generous ½ cup coarsely crumbled Mexican queso fresco or mild blue cheese (Gorgonzola is great)


Directions:

Arrange the bacon slices between a double layer of paper towels on a microwavable plate. Microwave on high for 2 ½ to 3 ½ minutes, until crispy. Pour the pumpkinseeds into a small skillet and set over medium heat.

When the first one pops, stir constantly until all have popped from flat to round, about 5 minutes. Scoop about 1/3 of them into a blender jar and add the lime juice. Pour the remainder into a small dish.

Return the skillet to medium heat and measure in the oil. Add the garlic and optional chile. Cook, stirring regularly, until the garlic is soft and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Scrape the oil and garlic into the blender or food processor.


Add the honey and ½ teaspoon salt. Process until smooth. Taste and season with more salt if you think necessary. (Remember: it should be highly seasoned.)

Divide the lettuce between 4 dinner plates. Pit and peel the avocado, then cut it into slices. Peel the mango, then cut the flesh from the pit. Slice to match the avocado pieces.

Arrange the avocado and mango in the center of the lettuce. Drizzle everything with the dressing, then sprinkle with the cheese and toasted pumpkinseeds.

Crumble the bacon and strew it over the top, and the salad is ready.


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Original Avocado Mango Salad Recipe