The combination of sweet and tangy mango and the aromatic and fresh flavor of basil is not only mouth-watering but can also add a healthy punch to any salad.
To start, choose your favorite lettuce or mixed greens as the base for your salad. You can add crunch to the salad by adding diced bell pepper, thinly sliced red onions, or chopped cucumbers.
For marinated mango, take one whole mango, peel it, and chop it into small cubes. In a separate bowl, mix 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1/2 cup of white wine vinegar and whisk them together. Add 1 tablespoon of honey, one pressed garlic clove, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well and pour over the mango cubes. Toss to coat the mango evenly. Leave the mixture to marinate for at least 30 minutes. In the meantime, you can prep the rest of your salad.
For the dressing, combine 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 tablespoon of honey and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk the ingredients together until they emulsify.
Now, it’s time to assemble the salad. Add 1/4 cup of toasted pine nuts and some crumbled feta cheese to the salad greens. Set aside some marinated mango cubes and basil leaves for the garnish. Toss the remaining marinated mango, along with the dressing, over the salad ingredients and mix well.
Garnish the salad with the reserved mango cubes and fresh basil leaves. You can also add some thin strips of prosciutto or grilled chicken breast to add some protein to your salad.
One of the benefits of this salad is that it is incredibly versatile. You can tweak the recipe based on your tastes and preferences. You can add or replace ingredients, such as subbing the feta cheese for goat cheese or adding avocado for extra creaminess. Try experimenting with different herbs like cilantro, parsley, or rosemary to create more distinctive flavors.
When it comes to health benefits, this salad covers all the bases. It’s a great source of healthy fats from the olive oil and pine nuts and loaded with vitamins and antioxidants from the mango and basil. The combination of high fiber and protein from the greens, pine nuts, and cheese keeps you feeling full and satisfied for a long time.
In conclusion, this marinated mango and basil salad is not only delicious but also healthy and satisfying. You can quickly whip it up for lunch or dinner and always have it on standby for an easy meal option. Give this recipe a try, and you’ll be surprised by how deliciously easy it is to create a more adventurous salad.