How to Screw up a Mango Salad

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: Jar of Imported Bertolli Spaghetti Sauce— $3.90

If you want to stay on a budget, do not buy a jar of imported tomato sauce. This is a high priced item that I refuse to purchase, which is why Rob is the fun guy when he shops. When I asked why he bought it, all he said was, “It’s good.” My husband has absolutely no issue indulging his Italian appetite when he craves something.

Purchasing this is such a rarity that there was a herald of arms announcing the sauce when Rob arrived home. There may also have been trumpets, but all I could hear was my father’s voice declaring I’ll be homeless by Friday if I continue being irresponsible with my money.

Does a jar of good tomato sauce bring you joy like it does my husband? If the answer is no, move to Costa Rica. Things you normally ate in the States are too expensive here, so when you do purchase them, it’s like Mardi Gras. I promise to toss beads at you when you buy that really good mozzarella cheese.

So this video is me making an inexpensive Happier Mango Salad, one in which I screw up pretty good. This gives you great insight to my skills in the kitchen. I’m surprised I haven’t starved yet.

This mango salad is guaranteed to make you feel a little happier. And a little happier is better than any jar of expensive tomato sauce.

 

Happier Mango Salad 

(4 Servings)

Can of Hearts of Palm

Pound Lettuce

1/4 – 1/2 cup walnuts

Mango

2 Avocados

One Red Onion

Dressing

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons White Vinegar

1 Tablespoon Honey (optional)

 

Cut mango and score fruit from skin. Mix in a blender until smooth, add dressing and mix for a few more seconds.

Cut up remaining items and mix. Top with dressing.

Good luck with cutting the mango. It was not my finest moment.

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:12-04:00 March 27th, 2017|Categories: Cooking Show, Recipes|Tags: , , , |6 Comments

About the Author:

Nadine is the author of the best-selling series, Happier Than A Billionaire. Join her as she navigates living as an expat in the sometimes confusing, always beautiful, country of Costa Rica.

6 Comments

  1. Victoria March 27, 2017 at 1:12 pm - Reply

    I think it’s nice to hace a recipe now and then.

  2. Cherie March 27, 2017 at 10:40 am - Reply

    Looks really good! I might even throw some cilantro in! Glad you’re still happy!
    Cherie

  3. Rita Manconi March 27, 2017 at 10:16 am - Reply

    as an Italian always craving good New Jersey-New York “Gravy” , I have learned to do with the following. I found it is much lighter and healthier and tastes so good.

    Chop up all the fresh ripe tomatoes you have into small fine pieces.5 or 6
    Chop up lots of fresh Basil (preferably from the Albacha plant you grow in your patio pot
    Chop up 4-5 cloves of fresh garlic (finely chopped) ( more if you like)

    Saute the garlic in olive oil covering the bottom of a large saute pan.
    Add tomatoes and basil.
    Add pepper and a little salt (cheese is salty)
    Sprinkle parmesian or my favorite Locatelli cheese. (stock up from the state) and continue cooking on low heat.

    In about 15- 20 minutes , add more olive oil (to taste) and more parmesian / Locatelli

    Cook a good quality pasta then add to Saute pan and toss.
    Springle with fresh chopped parsley to serve.Can top off with more grated cheese and sprinkle of olive oil.

    MMm.. Should satisfy any Pasta Craving. Taste so fresh.

    Can add black olives if you like or cut up chunks of mozzarella cheese. when tossing.

    Enoy!

    .

  4. Laura March 27, 2017 at 9:57 am - Reply

    Isn’t everything fresh cheaper in Costa Rica? Do they have tomatoes? You should really freak Rob out and make him a pot of home made italian spaghetti sauce. Then you can freeze the leftover and he can have that home taste of Italian cooking over and over….none of that jarred swill.

  5. Marlene Paul March 27, 2017 at 9:30 am - Reply

    if I wanted a Class french cooking, I would be looking elsewhere! The reason we all watch you, is the joy of seeing a real life human with all the funny thing
    s that happen to real life humans. Don’t change a thing!!
    Oh, and the salad looked great, too!!!
    Marlene

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