In case you haven’t discovered it yet, there’s a new show in Food Network’s line-up, Simply Delicioso by Ingrid Hoffman, a staple around the Miami area. I missed the first episode, but managed to catch the second one. Given its focus on Latin cuisine, it made my Tivo Season Pass. She does have this annoying habit of making up words, like lemonylicious, though not unlike someone else we know, and she’s a little too cheerleaderish, but if the first recipe I made from her is any indication, I’ll be back.
Believe it or not, I’ve never had a mango before. Or jicama, for that matter. In fact, when I was looking for them at the grocery store the other day, I had to ask the produce guy what jicama looked like. Never having had mango or jicama before, to tell you the truth, I wasn’t that interested in the recipe when I first saw it. But then I saw the dressing … a delicious peanutty dressing … and I was sold. And after I tasted it? I was hooked. I could have slurped up that dressing all on its own. Seriously.
As for the rest of the salad? Although the mango and jicama didn’t bother me, they didn’t do anything for me either. Next time I make this, and there will be a next time, I’d probably skip those and add carrots and cucumbers and extra lettuce (I didn’t think there was enough). This recipe is worth making, just for the dressing alone. Enjoy!
Mango, Jicama and Radish Salad with Peanut Dressing
Recipe courtesy Ingrid Hoffman
3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
Salt
8 large radishes, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
6 cups mixed baby greens, washed and dried
1 large or 2 small mangoes, peeled, fruit cut off the seed and cubed
2 cups peeled and cubed jicama (cut into about 1/2-inch cubes)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
In a medium bowl, whisk the peanut butter and lime juice until smooth. Add the brown sugar, vegetable oil and some salt and whisk until combined. Add enough water to thin the sauce and give it a dressing-like consistency, about 2 to 3 tablespoons.
Place the radishes, greens, mangoes, jicama and cilantro in a large bowl and toss together. Drizzle with the dressing, toss using tongs to coat and serve.
I’ve seen the show a couple times and she kinda grates my nerves a little – much like RR. But she’s a little more tolerable. I may have to try this recipe out although I honestly have no idea what jicama is exactly, and I’ll definitely skip the mango. I tried it once and well let’s just say I wiped my tongue on the dishcloth trying to remove the taste lol.
Never had mango!?! Sacrilege! And don’t let one mango shape your experience, especially if you used it straight from the grocery store, they usually have to sit on my counter for a week before they start to turn into their delicious selves.
Cate,
there are so many things you can do with mango. you will love it. i do. Chris C.
Jicama… not having had it or liking it that much I can understand. It’s an understated tuber that needs to be at the perfect state for people to understand why it is popular with some.
But the mango…
I have to say that I am shocked that you didn’t care for the mango. I wonder why. For me, the perfect ripe mango tastes like a tropical peach. Like brilynn, I think if you had it less than ripe, I can certainly understand your thoughts. Can you please explain more about what it was you didn’t like.
Sorry to add the heat you’re getting for never having a mango…but you should really try mango salsa! It’s sooo delicious!Thanks for sharing about Ingrid’s recipe. I love peanut dressings too, or all things peanuty for that matter :)
Hillary
chewonthatblog.com
Jaay – slightly more tolerable. Maybe she’s just nervous because it’s a new gig.
Brilyyn – lol, I’m sure there’s plenty of things I haven’t had. I promise to not base any judgement on just this one.
Chris C – as in THE Chris C? I don’t know if the Chris C I know would be waxing rhapsodic about mango, so it must be another one. ;)
Nerissa – I didn’t say I didn’t like it, just that I wouldn’t necessarily be actively looking for it again. Just kind of ambivalent about it, I guess. I totally agree though – just one mango from a grocery store. I’m sure there are loads better for me to get my tastebuds on. :)
Hillary – you’ve got to try the dressing!
Jicama is best in the matchbook slice…it is just too much cube shaped.Try it again but use a smaller slice.