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This lively mango chili sauce combines tropical sweetness with gentle spice kick. Juicy mango delivers natural sweetness, lime adds tang, chili brings warmth, and cilantro gives herbal notes. It's a flexible sauce that works great on basic salads or grilled foods alike.
I came up with this while playing around with super-ripe seasonal mangoes. The zingy flavors and smooth consistency make everyone ask for it at parties.
Essential Components
- Mango: Pick ripe ones that smell good and yield slightly to pressure. Go for Ataulfo mangoes if you want the smoothest result.
- Lime: Only use juice you squeeze yourself - the stuff in bottles just isn't bright enough.
- Chili: Fresno or jalapeño give you just the right amount of heat.
- Olive oil: Grab something good quality with a clean, fruity taste.
- Cilantro: Look for bright, firm bunches without any droopy leaves.
- Honey: Unprocessed honey adds depth and helps everything stick together.
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Making Process
- Get Your Mango Ready
- Find a ripe mango and slice around the seed. Make a checkerboard pattern in the flesh, then flip and scoop out the squares. Get every bit of fruit off the seed.
- Create Foundation
- Chuck mango pieces into blender with citrus juices, honey, garlic and cumin. Blend until silky. Taste and sweeten more if needed.
- Blend In Oil
- Keep blender going and pour olive oil in a thin stream until everything gets creamy and mixed well.
- Last Touches
- Pour into a bowl, mix in the chopped cilantro and tiny chili bits. Let it sit for 10 minutes so flavors can mingle.
This sauce came from my summer kitchen adventures when I had too many ripe mangoes and wanted something different for my everyday salads.
Other Ways To Use
Works great as a seafood marinade, especially for shrimp. Don't let it sit longer than 30 minutes though, or the citrus will start cooking the protein.
Keeping Fresh
Store in the fridge in a sealed glass container. Don't worry if it separates - just give it a good shake before you use it.
This sunny tropical sauce transforms basic dishes with its balanced sweet-hot combo, bringing fresh seasonal taste to your meals all year long.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → How long can I store this dressing?
- Keep it chilled in the fridge, and it’ll last up to a week.
- → Which chili should I use?
- It’s up to you! Jalapeño gives mild heat, while Fresno adds a bigger kick.
- → Can it work for more than salads?
- Totally! Pour it on grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp for an easy way to boost flavor.
- → How do I know if a mango is ready?
- Check if the mango feels soft when you squeeze it lightly and smells sweet where the stem is—it’s good to go!
- → Should I stir it before using?
- Yep, give it a good shake or stir, so everything’s mixed well again.