Mango Salad

Many years ago I decided to go on an adventure by myself and visit the ruins of Ankor Wat in Cambodia. I spent my days hiking up impossibly steep staircases with tiny little stairs. Either people in the thirteenth century had very tiny feet or safety was not even remotely on the minds of the builders. Working up a good appetite everyday I often visited the nearby food carts selling baguette sandwiches and fruit. In the evenings I roamed the streets of Siem Reap looking for a tasty supper. The most delicious thing I ate while there was a mango salad. It was such a contrast of flavours that every bite was subtly and deliciously different than the last.

I spent some time trying to recreate this salad and my biggest obstacle was trying to find a few mangoes that were the same ripeness. Very challenging in Canada. So my salad has lettuce in it which is quite different from the original but the flavours are there. This salad really is a hit and is something I often serve when I have company. You can't dress this salad until you are ready to eat it.