Summer. Warm weather. Patio. Salsa.
Entertaining. Backyard. Salsa.
Gardening. Salsa.
Okay, it is official. All roads lead to salsa. Mango salsa, to be most specific. What does it have to do with buying a home in Portland? Admittedly not much. But this is the very first food that my husband and I enjoyed on our patio when we moved into our Hawthorne bungalow, so if you are looking for an inaugural recipe for your first backyard celebration in your new home, I would love to share this recipe with you. Nothing tastes as good as home ownership, except possibly this salsa.
Bud’s Mango Salsa
- 2-3 mangoes, diced (don’t go too ripe, you’ll want to be able to dice them up, so slightly firm is best)
- 3 T diced red onion
- 1/2 diced red bell pepper
- 3 diced green onions – use any portion of it you like
- 3 T diced cilantro
- 1/2 diced jalapeno pepper (remove seeds and ribs if you don’t want too much heat)
- 1 T diced fresh ginger
- Heaping 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 – 3 T seasoned rice vinegar
- 2 T honey
- Juice of one lime (2 if they’re small)
Combine all ingredients and let the salsa develop in the fridge until you are ready to serve. It is a forgiving recipe, so adjust any amounts above to suit your taste. This salsa goes well with chips, obviously. But it is terrific with grilled chicken or fish, and it is transcendental with pulled pork.