I haven't blogged in awhile. But now that I have the time, why not?
I have been enjoying my Summer without kids, making time for me! Exploring me! Discovering! Accepting creative challenges and resting! Resting is really cool!! Loving the time off. Adding some exercise including walking with friends and a 30 Day Ab Challenge with Léna.
There are seasonal faves I have at different restaurants. Carefully picked but very addictive. My summer favorite is at QDoba. Their Naked Mango Salsa Salad is just plain tasty. Since I have the time and energy and refuse to go broke paying for this treat I tried my own version.
I posted the pic of my creation before I destroyed it and actually had requests for the recipe?! Perplexed and Pleased!!!!!!
Here's where I started, Pinterest had a Mango Salsa with heat. at
http://www.clarkscondensed.com/recipes/honey-lime-mango-salsa/#_a5y_p=1724150
When I use recipes I rarely follow them completely. My changes are suited to my taste and digestion. Let's start at the beginning.
Mango is one of the bestest fruits ever, but I am not a fan of having to get at that delicious meat, so I cheated and bought a pre-packaged Mango Cup. I won't use that one again because it is packed in light syrup and Mango doesn't need that kind of help. There are other bottled alternatives that I will use or, actually struggle thru the battle of the Mango!
Because peppers & I don't get along and they stay with me for way too long,
I eliminated the ( heat not a NBA reference) Jalapeno and substituted grape tomatoes for the red bell peppers.
I didn't measure the lime juice or the cilantro. I squeezed the juice from 1 lime; and because I love cilantro used way more than a tbsp.
I chopped or diced the Mango, cilantro, grape tomatoes and red onion.
Placed them in a cereal size bowl, added the lime juice and stirred them together.
I stacked my salad starting with 3 or 4 leafs of chopped Romaine Lettuce as my base, added a cup of lightly salted brown rice, about 1/2 cup or 3/4 cup of Black Beans, the Salsa and drizzled the Honey on top.
Q'Doba's salad is served in a tortilla bowl, so I used a 10" or 12" flour tortilla, toasted in my waffle iron and broke it into bite size pieces. I forgot the shredded cheese. I'll get that on top next time and I didn't use any dressing.
Very satisfying alternative to the trek to my nearest Q'Doba.
