Sweet Mango Dressing
Recipe by Danielle Lavallee
This dressing takes just minutes to make, and it is delicious anytime you need a little sweet and spicy lift. Given that it is low calorie, this is a great sauce to use if weight loss is your goal.
I like to use it on salads that already include a good amount of plant fat, such as edamame peanut salad (recipe coming next). It also makes a great dipping sauce for spring rolls, and it’s terrific on rice bowls. If you keep the spice low, it is also super kid friendly, with a fresh sweet mango taste and bright orange color.
Special Equipment Needed: High-Speed Blender
Ingredients:
1 ripe champagne mango, peeled (also known as an Adalfo or Ataulfo mango)
Juice of 2 large limes (or 3 small limes)
2-4 tsps Sambal Oelek (start with 2 and add to taste)
1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup (or more depending on the ripeness of your mango)
¼ tsp salt
Instructions:
Blend ingredients in a high-speed blender.
If too thick, either add more lime juice, or add water 1 TBS at a time until it reaches desired consistency.
If you can’t find Sambal Oelek, try substituting Sriracha. Sriracha is spicier, though, so start with 1 tsp and add to taste.
Optional Add-Ins:
Splash of tamari for umami
Fresh ginger
Juice from a mandarin or sumo orange
Start with a mango, lime juice, and some heat. Then, add other flavors or more heat to please your palate.
For optimal sweetness, this dressing works best with a very ripe fresh mango. Frozen mango tends to be less sweet, so it won’t have that same intense sweet mango hit.
Health Benefits:
Mango - Outside of the US, mangos are the world’s most popular fruit. Not only are they delicious, but they boast an impressive nutritional profile. A serving of mango supplies 67% of our daily vitamin C needs. They are a good source of copper and folate, and they help our bodies absorb iron. Mango also contains the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as vitamin A, all of which support eye health.
Limes – Limes are high in calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin C. They help to boost our immune systems, and they contain antioxidants which both reduce our risk of cancer and help to make our skin glow. Their Vitamin C helps to increase the nutrient absorption of iron in the foods they accompany. Given their high levels of citric acid, they have been shown to improve digestion and increase metabolism.
Happy Eating!
🌱💕