Food of the Week [Part II]: Mango Magic at Her Active Life

Click here for the Lead Stories

Food of the Week [Part II]: Mango Magic

Posted May 31, 2008 at 02:00 PM by Katie Drummond

Section: Her Health, Her Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Recipes, Special Features, Food of the Week

mango This week, we’re revering the mango as our Food of the Week, thanks to its excellent nutrient content and soothing enzymes and compounds – the perfect fruit for your athletic needs and your taste buds.

In India, mangoes are sometimes called “the King of fruit” thanks to their long history in the region and their versatility – these sweet fruits can be delicious in entrees and desserts alike. We think mangoes merit the regal title for another reason: their nutritional value. Mangoes are one of the best sources of beta-carotene (Vitamin A) out there, and an excellent source of Vitamin C as well.

Intimidated with the buying and preparing of your mango? No worries. At the grocery store, choose firm fruits with no bruising or soft spots. Mangoes are ripe when you can smell their sweetness around the stem. When ripe, they should be easy to peel and the fruit should pull from the pit without too much hassle.

Surprise your fellow diners by combining the sweet taste of mango with the creamy texture of avocado in this delightful spring salad.

Recipe Profile

Perfect For: An accompaniment to a barbeque dinner or as a fresh lunch

Prep Time:

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

3 tbsp passion fruit juice (or any tropical cocktail)
3 tbsp minced shallots
4 tsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp ground coriander
3 tbsp olive oil
8 cups salad greens
1 large mango, sliced
2 avocadoes, sliced

Whisk the first five ingredients together, and gradually whisk in the oil. Toss the salad with the dressing in a large bowl, and top with the mango and avocado. You can jazz this up even more with your choice of nuts, black beans, grilled tofu, or other accompaniments.