Mango Salad with Fennel Frond Pesto
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Author Notes: Henry and I eat ungodly amounts of ataulfo mangos each week. Often, I'll cut most of the fleshy bits off the peeled mangos and puree them in the blender with some whole milk yogurt, milk, and agave nector for a quick lassi while Henry gnaws on the pit. For this contest, I wanted to make a light and refreshing salad à la Lena S's Plum Avocado Summer Salad, featuring mangos and fennel. The two pair together really nicely, I think, and I was happy to be able to use all of the fennel fronds along with the bulb- they're so lovely. And, bonus, the fennel frond pesto stays green for a surprisingly long time, so this is a great make-ahead/picnic salad. - arielleclementine
Food52 Review: What a lovely combination of ingredients for a salad. It's light and fresh, yet substantial enough to be served as a vegetarian meal or side dish with a piece of fish or chicken. I would 'up' the quantity of lemon slightly as I think the acid pairs nicely again the sweetness of the mango. If you only have a lime in the fridge, use it ...it's a superb combination, as well! - thehappycook
Serves 4
- 1 bulb fennel with fronds
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated on a microplane
- 1 small garlic clove, grated on a microplane
- juice of one lemon (2-3 tablespoons)
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- 2 large or 3 small ripe ataulfo or champagne mangos
- flaky sea salt
- Make the Fennel Frond and Ginger Pesto: Shear the feathery fronds from the fennel bulb, leaving the thick stalks behind and chop the fronds roughly (you should have about 2 cups). Combine the chopped fronds, grated ginger, grated garlic, and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor, and pulse a few times to incorporate. With the food processor running, pour in the six tablespoons of olive oil and process until combined. Scrape the mixture into a medium bowl and season to taste with kosher salt.
- Assemble the Salad: Trim the root and stalks from the fennel bulb and slice it thinly, cutting from root to stem. Peel the mangos and cut the flesh from the pit and slice into long, thin strips. Add the sliced fennel bulb and mango to the bowl with the pesto and toss gently to combine. Top with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
- This recipe is a Community Pick!
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Mangoes
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20 days ago Hilarybee
I really like this recipe. Mango and fennel are my favorites. I've made it twice, and the first time I did find it to be a little too garlicky. I omitted it last time and enjoyed it more.
22 days ago Leo Sar
Mmmm
12 months ago JaneMiami
I am staring at fat mangoes on the trees...just waiting for them to ripen! Can't wait to try this recipe.
Sounds delicious. Many thanks
12 months ago arielleclementine
oh thank you, JaneMiami! and lucky you for your tree-ripened mangos- how wonderful! i hope you like it :)
12 months ago jenniebgood
Congratulations arielleclementine-I love the idea of paring fennel and mango!
12 months ago arielleclementine
thanks jenniebgood! it is a simple salad, but a nice combo, i think!
about 1 year ago PistachioDoughnut
Anise and mango go so well together....seriously...and that too fresh..what a lovely salad to make..
about 1 year ago PistachioDoughnut
Ok I have to tell you this..the day you posted this , I really wanted to have it. And, I had it yesterday and it was fabulous! I am so happy to have another salad in my recipe box. Loved it..Henry is so lucky! Thanks for the recipe.Next time I will grill the fennel just a little bit.
12 months ago arielleclementine
oh wow! thanks so much PistachioDoughnut!! i'm so happy you liked it and love the idea of grilling the fennel! :) on a related note, i read about your delicious sounding mango mousse on Documenting our Dinner (http://www.documentingourdinner...) and plan to try it as soon as humanly possible!
about 1 year ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
Great combo of flavors! I think anise and mango work quite well together.
about 1 year ago arielleclementine
thanks HLA! i hadn't tried the combo before, but agree!
about 1 year ago aargersi
Abbie is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Yum Arielle! I know what you are bringing over next time!
about 1 year ago arielleclementine
thanks Abbie!!
about 1 year ago gingerroot
This sounds delicious. I love mango and fennel but have never put them together. I look forward to trying this ac!
about 1 year ago arielleclementine
thanks gingerroot! i'm a recent convert to fennel and anise flavors- i hated it growing up, but have really started to like it of late!
about 1 year ago arielleclementine
hey thanks, Bevi!
about 1 year ago Bevi
Yum - I could eat a bowl of this!