Lentil Mango Salad | Made by Meaghan Moineau
**Title: A Taste of Summer: Refreshing Lentil Mango Salad**
**Description:** Dive into the vibrant flavors of our Lentil Mango Salad, a delightful fusion of fresh ingredients that evoke the warmth of summer. Perfect as a standalone dish or a complement to your favorite meat and poultry, this salad combines sweet, savory, and tangy notes in a refreshing symphony. Join us as we share a nostalgic family memory intertwined with this recipe, making it more than just a meal—it's an experience.
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### A Taste of Summer: Refreshing Lentil Mango Salad
As the sun casts its golden glow and the air fills with the laughter of family gatherings, few dishes capture the essence of summer quite like our Lentil Mango Salad. This vibrant medley of fresh ingredients is a celebration of flavor, color, and nostalgia, bringing together the sweet aroma of ripe mangoes and the earthy richness of lentils.
#### Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- 1 ripe mango, peeled and chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, cleaned and chopped
- 1/2 red onion, cleaned and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- A handful of cilantro, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- Salt to taste
#### Instructions:
1. Begin by cleaning and chopping the onion, red bell pepper, and garlic. Finely chop the cilantro and peel and chop the mango.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils, mango, red bell pepper, red onion, garlic, and cilantro.
3. Drizzle the olive oil and white wine vinegar over the salad. Season with salt to taste.
4. Toss the salad thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well mixed.
5. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
6. Serve chilled as a refreshing appetizer or a vibrant side dish accompanying your favorite meat or poultry.
#### A Nostalgic Family Memory
Every summer, my family would gather at my grandmother's house for a weekend filled with love, laughter, and food. The highlight of these gatherings was always the Sunday brunch, where my grandmother would bring out her famous Lentil Mango Salad. The vivid colors of the salad mirrored the blooming flowers in her garden, and its refreshing taste was the perfect antidote to the summer heat.
I vividly remember sitting at the patio table, the warm breeze rustling through the trees as my grandmother recounted stories from her childhood. She always emphasized how the salad was more than just a dish; it was a blend of cultures, a nod to her Caribbean roots with the mango and the traditional lentils from her mother's kitchen. Each bite was a sentimental journey, a connection to a past I felt deeply despite not having lived it myself.
Now, whenever I prepare this salad, I am transported back to those sunlit mornings, surrounded by family, feeling the love and heritage passed down through generations. It’s a reminder that food has the power not only to nourish the body but also to create enduring memories.
#### Difficulty Rating: 3/10
**Classification: Appetizer**
This Lentil Mango Salad is a breeze to prepare, with minimal cooking involved, making it an ideal choice for an easy yet impressive appetizer. Whether you're hosting a summer soirée or looking to add a splash of color to your meal, this dish is sure to delight.
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Embrace the taste of summer with our Lentil Mango Salad, and may it become a cherished part of your family's culinary memories, just as it is in mine. Enjoy this delightful blend of flavors and the stories that come with it, creating new memories with each serving.