Recently, our friends brought us a big box of mangos from a fruit stand that they stopped by on the way to our place. I loved how fresh this Mango Salsa tasted, almost like pico de gallo with a sweet twist. I love recipes that use all or mostly fresh ingredients, and this one definitely falls into that category.

I thought it was fun to enjoy a light beer while chopping the ingredients for this salsa, and this mix of ingredients was just perfect! I also found out that mangos are perfect t use when they are more of the red and orange tones, rather than green still - the green ones were not ready at all.

2-3 Mangos

1/2-1 Jalapeno

1/3-1/2 red onion

1 Tomato

1 tsp - 1 Tbsp salt

1 lime for the juice

Cilantro

This was also the first time I was truly successful in making the mango look like a little creature, as shown below. I found out that the smaller the cute you make in the mango, the better. To cut your mango all pretty like you see on Instagram and so forth, locate the little stem of the mango, and hold that closest to you, in the very center. Next, slice the two "cheeks" off the mango, which will be on the left and right of that stem. There is a surprisingly large portion in the center of the mango that is unusable. Once you have cut off the cheeks, make sure your mango looks like an orangey color throughout (compared to bruised), and is semi soft. Make 1/4" or smaller slices to create a grid, and pull the sides back to reveal the cool creature-like shape. Then, cut the pieces lose from the mango skin, and chop into tiny pieces.

Chop the other ingredients super small, and reserve the limes to squeeze over at the end. Mix everything together in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and squeeze limes over, careful to not hit your eyes (or anyone else's) with the juice! Mix with hands or a large spoon and enjoy! Add more or less jalapeno depending on your preferred spice level. Of course, some peppers are more spicy than others. Tons of cilantro was key to the fresh burst of flavor in this dish.

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Serve the mango salsa with a big bowl of tortilla chips, or dish this over teriyaki chicken breasts and white rice, and you have an incredibly fresh and delicious meal!