Green mango salad with ingredients including mango and shrimp, served with basil and cilantro, is so delicious that it will make anyone crave it just by thinking about it. The harmonious combination of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors, although contrasting, is incredibly tasty. This article will help you learn how to make mango salad in authentic Vietnamese style.
Mango salad is a simple appetizer that is incredibly easy to make, quick, and delicious, making it a great accompaniment to meals. Get into the kitchen and try making mango salad to treat your family on hot days. The following tips will help you master the simple method of making mango salad with easily accessible ingredients, ensuring success on your first attempt.
Is Eating Mango Salad Good for You?
Many people still think that only ripe mangoes have high nutritional value, while green mangoes lack nutrients. This is a misconception that you should change. In fact, the vitamin C content in green mangoes plays a role in helping the body absorb calcium, which strengthens bones. Thanks to this vitamin C, eating green mangoes can help reduce inflammation and boost the immune system.
According to scientific research, regularly eating green mangoes can stimulate the body to absorb iron effectively, enhance blood production, support the prevention of blood-related diseases, and prevent blood clotting issues. This is because iron helps the body continuously produce new blood cells. Additionally, the iron in green mangoes boosts the immune system of the liver, helping it stay healthy, reducing the risk of liver diseases, and increasing bile acid secretion to improve digestion.
Moreover, vitamin B3 in green mangoes helps enhance cardiovascular health and improve blood cholesterol levels. As a result, you can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and strokes.
Although green mangoes are beneficial for health, not everyone should consume them. Patients with stomach issues should not consume too much. The vitamin C content in mangoes can increase stomach acid secretion, worsening the condition.
Ingredients for Mango Salad with Shrimp and Pork
To make mango salad with shrimp and pork for 4 people, you need to prepare:
- 300g fresh shrimp
- 300g pork shoulder
- 2 green mangoes
- 1 onion
- 1 carrot
- 2 chili peppers
- 5ml vinegar
- Roasted peanuts
- Seasonings include fish sauce, sugar, chili sauce, and pepper.
Tips for Choosing Fresh Pork and Shrimp for Mango Salad
To ensure your mango salad is delicious and of high quality, select the best ingredients, including:
- Pork: Choose fresh pork with a pinkish-red color. When you press your finger into the meat and release, it should be elastic and not release water. The surface of the meat should not have any hemorrhages or bruises, and it should not have any foul or rancid odor.
- Fresh shrimp: Opt for fresh tiger prawns or white-leg shrimp for the best salad. Avoid selecting shrimp that appear unusually plump, as they may have been injected with substances. When held, they should not be mushy, and their color should not be pale.
Instructions for Making Delicious Mango Salad with Shrimp and Pork
Prepare the Ingredients:
- Rinse the pork shoulder with diluted saltwater or alcohol to remove any odor, then wash it under clean running water.
- Place the pork in a pot, cover with water, and boil until cooked. Remove and let it cool before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- Peel the shrimp, remove the heads, and devein them. Rinse thoroughly with water.
- Boil the shrimp in the same pot used for the pork for about 3 minutes until they turn pink, then remove and let cool.
- Peel the mangoes and carrots, then julienne them into thin strips.
- Peel the onion, cut it in half, slice it thinly, and soak in ice-cold water to make it crisp and reduce its pungency.
- Wash the herbs and cut them into short pieces.
- Finely chop the chili peppers.
Mix the Mango Salad:
- Prepare a bowl and add all the ingredients, including the carrots, mangoes, and onions.
- Add 2 tablespoons of fried shallots, 3 teaspoons of sugar, and chopped Vietnamese coriander.
- Mix all the ingredients well.
Make the Mango Salad Dressing
Prepare the dressing using the following recipe: mix 3 tablespoons of tamarind juice, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, minced garlic, and chopped chili peppers. Stir the dressing well. When ready to eat, place the mango salad on a plate, add the shrimp and pork on top, drizzle with the dressing, sprinkle with roasted peanuts, and mix well before enjoying.
How to Make Spicy and Delicious Thai-Style Sour Mango Salad
If you prefer not to have mango salad with shrimp and pork, you can make a Thai-style mango salad. This dish is equally delicious and appealing and can be enjoyed by vegetarians.
Ingredients for Thai-Style Mango Salad:
- 2 green mangoes
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 100g roasted peanuts
- Garlic, chili peppers
- Cilantro, mint
- 3 shallots
Steps to Make Thai-Style Mango Salad:
- Wash the mangoes, peel them, and slice into long, thin strips.
- Peel the shallots and chop finely.
- Pick, wash, and drain the mint and cilantro, then chop them finely.
- Prepare the salad dressing using the recipe: 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon fish sauce, half a teaspoon of chopped chili, and shallots.
- Place all the julienned mango in a bowl, add the mint and cilantro, pour the dressing over, and mix well. You should mix the mango salad about 10 minutes before eating; mixing too early will make the salad soggy and lose the crispness of the mango, while mixing and eating too quickly will not allow the ingredients to absorb the flavors evenly, resulting in a less tasty dish.
- Arrange the mixed salad on a plate and sprinkle roasted peanuts on top.
- You can carve chili peppers into flower shapes for decoration.
I hope the above tips have helped you grasp the secrets to making delicious and nutritious mango salad. You can enjoy mango salad with fried shrimp crackers or hot rice; both pair well. Visit Foodvietnamese.com daily to explore more delicious Vietnamese dishes and enrich your family’s menu!
