How to Make Delicious Mango Salad (Rujak Mangga)

How to Make Delicious Mango Salad (Rujak Mangga)

 Mango salad, known as "Rujak Mangga" in Indonesia, is a delightful and refreshing dish that combines the sweetness of ripe mangoes with the tanginess of tamarind sauce and the spiciness of chili. This tropical treat is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to prepare. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to make this flavorful and colorful mango salad.

Ingredients:

1. 2 ripe mangoes
2. 2-3 red chilies (adjust to your spice preference)
3. 2 cloves of garlic
4. 2 tablespoons of tamarind paste
5. 2 tablespoons of palm sugar (you can substitute brown sugar)
6. 1 teaspoon of salt
7. 1 cucumber
8. 1 carrot
9. A handful of roasted peanuts
10. Shrimp paste (optional)
11. Water for thinning the sauce

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients:

• Peel and slice the mangoes into thin strips. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
• Thinly slice the cucumber and carrot into matchstick-sized pieces.
• Crush the roasted peanuts in a mortar and pestle or using a food processor.
• Finely chop the red chilies and garlic. If you prefer less spice, remove the seeds from the chilies.

2. Make the Sauce:

• In a separate bowl, combine the tamarind paste, palm sugar, salt, chopped chilies, and garlic.
• If you like it spicier, you can add some shrimp paste at this stage.
• Add a little water to the mixture and stir until the sugar dissolves, and you have a smooth sauce.

3. Mix Everything Together:

• Pour the tamarind sauce over the sliced mangoes in the mixing bowl.
• Add the sliced cucumber and carrot to the bowl as well.

4. Toss and Serve:

• Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are well coated with the tamarind sauce.
• Sprinkle the crushed peanuts on top for a delightful crunch and extra flavor.

5. Enjoy Your Rujak Mangga:

• Serve the mango salad immediately as a refreshing appetizer or side dish.
• You can garnish it with some extra chili slices or mint leaves for a burst of color and flavor.

Variations:

• You can customize your mango salad by adding other tropical fruits like pineapple or jicama.
• Some people like to include dried shrimp for an added umami flavor.
• Adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer chilies according to your taste.

Conclusion: Making Rujak Mangga, or mango salad, is a delightful culinary adventure that brings together sweet, sour, and spicy flavors in a single dish. With ripe mangoes, a tangy tamarind sauce, and a few other simple ingredients, you can create a mouthwatering Indonesian classic that's perfect for hot summer days or as a refreshing accompaniment to your meals. Give it a try, and you'll be amazed by the burst of flavors in every bite!