I have really been enjoying the mangoes so far this year but I had only been having the Mexican mangoes. Zen Chef left a comment on my Mango Crisp with Macadamia Nut Crust post that mentioned that Indian alphonso mangoes were in season and that they were pretty good. I looked up alphonso mangoes a quickly learned that they were considered by many to be the best of the mangoes. I just had to try them! The problem was locating some. I ended up finding them at a small grocery store in Little India in Toronto. They were a bit more expensive than the mangoes that I had been getting but I picked up a case of them anyways. They were under ripe and I had to wait a few days for them to ripen. That gave me a chance to think about how I would enjoy them.
I remembered seeing this really interesting recipe for a mango caprese salad . It is a twist on the classic caprese salad with the tomatoes replaced with sliced mango. Making a caprese salad also gave me the perfect excuse to pick up some fresh imported buffalo mozzarella which I had been wanting to try for a while. I dressed the salad up with a simple balsamic vinaigrette made with some better quality balsamic vinegar. I really enjoyed the mango caprese salad! It was nice and simple and light and every thing about it was good! The alphonso mangoes easily lived up to their hype, being sweet and flavourful. The fresh mozzarella was nice and soft and cool and moist. The balsamic vinegar rounded off the salad by adding a sweet and tart bite.
Mango Caprese Salad
ingredients
- 1 mango (peeled, stoned and sliced)
- 1 handful basil leaves
- 1 fresh mozzarella (sliced)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
directions
- Arrange salad and dress with balsamic vinaigrette.
Laura @ Hungry and Frozen says
June 11, 2008 at 10:41 pmSounds like a fabulous mix of delicious, simple ingredients…I’ve heard good things about those Alphonso mangoes but never actually tried one. Will have to keep an eye out…
renae du jour says
June 11, 2008 at 11:10 pmHmmm… I love mangoes but usually like them on their own. They’re so good I’d hate to mess with them. But that’s a beautiful salad, so I guess I should try it. It might open up a whole new mangoe world.
Nicole says
June 11, 2008 at 11:11 pmI’ve been dying to try some Indian mangoes but I’m not sure where to find them here. I guess I’d better go check a few Indian grocers and see if I can find some. I never would have thought to combine mangoes with the mozzarella and basil but I bet it’s a wonderful combination!
javagirlkt's cookin' says
June 11, 2008 at 11:11 pmwow, what an interesting combo! i’ve substituted mangoes for tomatoes in salsa before, but i never would have thought to use them in a caprese salad.
keep up the great work!
VeggieGirl says
June 11, 2008 at 11:18 pmYou MUST try the champagne mangoes – they’re divine!! And super-sweet :0)
Lisa says
June 11, 2008 at 11:22 pmSo easy, but fit for a king! Just what I want right this minute.
Bridgett says
June 11, 2008 at 11:27 pmI think it would be good even without the vinegar but the tartness might be interesting. The colors are just too pretty!
Adam says
June 12, 2008 at 12:12 amVery interesting. I never would of thought to pair mangoes with mozz cheese… definitely worth a try.
Mrs Ergül says
June 12, 2008 at 12:45 amI totally love mangoes. The sour kind especially! This mango caprese salad looks good and healthy!
Anonymous says
June 12, 2008 at 1:02 amYay! You got some Alphonsos! Aren’t they great? To me they have a very floral taste. Very unique! What’s more unique is that combination mango + mozarella. I gotta try that one of these days. Great!
LyB says
June 12, 2008 at 1:10 amThat is so colorful, it looks really delicious. I’m also intrigued by the mango-mozzarella combination, it sounds wonderful.
Manggy says
June 12, 2008 at 1:45 amJust by looking at it I know the flavor combination works 🙂 Fortunately/unfortunately for me, great mangoes here are a dime a dozen (well, not literally), but buffalo mozzarella will cost an arm and a leg! (also not literally 😛 )
Mochachocolata Rita says
June 12, 2008 at 1:49 amoh my gosh…that looks amazzzzzinnggg!! i love mangoes in salads…they give the extra exotic punch
noble pig says
June 12, 2008 at 1:50 amThis is lovely Kevin. I’ve done this with peaches at a dinner party
before with a reduced balsamic and it was a hit. I’m sure this had the same great flavors.
Ricki says
June 12, 2008 at 2:01 amWhat an interesting twist on caprese–and so timely now that tomatoes are off the shelves in the U.S.!!
Marc @ NoRecipes says
June 12, 2008 at 2:14 amUnique! I could see how the creaminess of the fresh mozzarella would work with the mango.
cook eat FRET says
June 12, 2008 at 2:41 ambrilliant idea
a caprese salad while we wait for the good tomatoes
love this
as usual
Psychgrad says
June 12, 2008 at 2:50 amThat is some great dedication to a meal. Looks like it was worth it too!
Anonymous says
June 12, 2008 at 3:28 amFresh mozzarella is so yummy! This sounds interesting. I’ve never had mangoes in a savory dish before.
Nick says
June 12, 2008 at 5:53 amOh wow, awesome idea. Does it really go that well together? I love the creativity sir!
Kitt says
June 12, 2008 at 7:21 amSuch a tasty alternative before tomatoes come into season in my garden! (And while supermarket tomatoes are taboo with the salmonella scare.)
Recipe World says
June 12, 2008 at 10:02 amI’m not a huge fan of mangoes… I don’t love the texture, but that salad looks gorgeous! Maybe I should try it with another fruit, like peaches or berries? Any suggestions?
Chocolate Shavings says
June 12, 2008 at 10:18 amI’ve never had mango in a caprese salad, but it sounds like a great mix of flavors!
http://www.chocolateshavings.ca
Nina's Kitchen (Nina Timm) says
June 12, 2008 at 12:02 pmHere in SA the Heidie mango is the best to buy…..I love caprese salad with ripe tomatoes, but this version is sure to convert me…Well done, Kevin!
Susan says
June 12, 2008 at 12:10 pmFantastic idea! Such a simple switch from tomato. Love it!
Pearlsofeast says
June 12, 2008 at 1:00 pmWow Alphonso with Mozzerella, Divine combo with a hint of Basil.
Jeena says
June 12, 2008 at 1:13 pmI was so hungry for this salad when I clicked on your blog Kevin. The mango looks so fresh and juicy, lovely recipe!
Anonymous says
June 12, 2008 at 2:50 pmWhat beautiful colors!
Indigo says
June 12, 2008 at 3:51 pmOooh I love mangos, but I’ve never had an Alphonso one (to my knowledge; I’m not exactly quick off the mark sometimes). Really want to try them now!
AnticiPlate says
June 12, 2008 at 4:13 pmI am so glad you liked this:) I feel honored that you tried the recipe.
Pam says
June 12, 2008 at 4:23 pmSounds delicious – a perfect summer salad.
diva says
June 12, 2008 at 5:57 pmwow u take my usual mozzerella and tomatoes to another level. this is great.
Holler says
June 12, 2008 at 6:11 pmBrilliant idea Kevin! I love caprese salad and swapping the tomatoes with mango, sounds like an excellent idea. I can’t wait to try it.
Terry B says
June 12, 2008 at 6:24 pmBeautiful and delicious sounding! Also, impeccable timing, what with the salmonella scare with tomatoes.
cakewardrobe says
June 12, 2008 at 7:31 pmGreat salad! I love anything with mangoes in it!
Jan says
June 12, 2008 at 8:25 pmKevin – That salad look amazing – what a great combo!
I will have to try that – it looks so good.
Di Lili says
June 12, 2008 at 10:48 pmSweet jesus that picture makes my mouth water! What a great flavor combination. Complex but also so fresh!
Anonymous says
June 13, 2008 at 12:22 amLooks fabulous. What a wonderful combination. And now that tomatoes are to temporarily be avoided, this mango caprese salad is even more perfect.
Vicarious Foodie says
June 13, 2008 at 1:50 amWow, what an interesting dish!! And it’s such perfect timing, with the tomato scare and all. Kevin, you’ve done it again!
HoneyB says
June 13, 2008 at 8:51 amthis looks delicious!
canarygirl says
June 13, 2008 at 9:28 amNow THAT is a great freakin idea! Mango caprese? YUM!
Brilynn says
June 13, 2008 at 12:31 pmThat looks amazing! I want some immediately!
Elle says
June 14, 2008 at 12:06 amI have to try this! It’s gorgeous!
Ginny says
June 14, 2008 at 10:43 pmdelicious! I love this idea! Great job!
Olga Berman says
June 30, 2008 at 4:25 amwow, what an interesting idea! love mangoes, love cheese, so why not?
Anonymous says
June 30, 2008 at 6:15 amWhat a delightful idea– I never would have thought to combine mangoes with buffalo mozzarella. I’ll have to try that next time I see good mangoes.
Jo. says
June 30, 2008 at 8:10 amSo simple but I have never tried that. But I know I’m gonna have it tomorrow for lunch 🙂
Amber says
July 1, 2008 at 5:26 pmThis looks wonderful. I am working on some mango recipes so I will eat this as inspiration. I just joined DB and your braid is beautiful. Congratulations.
C. says
August 30, 2010 at 10:21 pmOmg, (;-)), Mango Caprese! I just finished eating a traditional Caprese salad and was wishing I had some good Jersey tomatoes (mine were watery and flavorless). Who knew I could have substituted mangoes! I have fabulous Hayden mangoes growing right outside in my yard. Thanks for the splendid tip.