Salsa de Mango / Mango Salsa

Mango salsa is a spicy sweet salad made from mangoes , used as a topping for nachos . Salsa is an integral part of the Mexican cuisine. It is served with all types of meal.

 Salsa is the Spanish term for the sauce and in English speaking countries usually refers to tomato based hot sauces. There are many types of salsa which usually vary throughout Latin America.

 This salsa goes well with non veg dishes . it can also be served along with nachos , canapes , Mathiri ( Thatuvadai ).

Requirements :

Semi-ripe Mango – 1

Green chillies – 2

Onion  - 1/ Shallots – 6

Mint leaves – 10

Lemon juice – 1 tbs

Tomato - 1

Salt to taste

Method :

Chop the mango into fine pieces.

Chop the onion, mint leaves and green chilies.

Cut the tomato and remove the seeds and chop into fine pieces.

Ina bowl , add the chopped mango , onion , tomato , green chilies and mint leaves.

Add the lemon juice and required salt.

 Toss gently to mix well.

Refrigerate for 15 minutes or serve as it is.

Serve in individual glasses or in salad bowl.

Salsa de mango is ready to serve.

Note :

If want to make this salsa as Thai cuisine , just add the fish sauce , grated ginger , basil and top with some chopped peanuts.

 I had used semi ripe mango . Raw mango can be used. I felt this semi ripe mango is tastier for this salsa.    

     

 @ Cooking with SJ

Snow ball / Mexican Wedding cookies

  These cookies are called as snow balls due to its resemblance to snow. This cookie is also called as Russian tea cake / Butter balls , however it is commonly called as snowball cookies.

This cookie is eaten commonly around Christmas in united states. This cookie was originally originated in Russia during 18^th century as a confection in tea parties.

By 20^th century , these were popular in weddings and Christmas in U.S , known popularly as Russian Tea cookies.

This cookie is called as snowball for their powdery white spherical appearance. These cookies are easy to make and healthy with nuts, usually peanuts are used in original recipe , I used mixed nuts like cashew , pistachios, almond and walnuts.

Requirements :

All purpose flour – 2 cup

Butter – 1 cup

Powdered Sugar – ½ cup

Cashew – 50 g

Almonds – 50 g

Walnuts – 50 g

Pistachios – 50 g

Vanilla essence – few drops ( optional )

Powdered sugar – 1 cup for rolling

Salt a pinch

Method :

Chop the nuts into fine pieces.

Melt the 2 tbs of  butter and fry the chopped nuts till they are golden brown.

Let the fried nuts to cool.

Take a large bowl , mix the butter and powdered sugar well till fluffy.

Add the fried nuts along with the melted butter and stir well.

Add the flour and a pinch of salt , mix well.

Add the vanilla essence and make a soft dough.

Refrigerate the dough for atleast for an hour.

Pre heat the oven to 180 degree Celsius.

Shape into small balls of one inch size , arrange the balls in the baking tray with atleat 2 cm apart.

Bake for 20 minutes or till the edges are brown.

Let it cool for five minutes.

Roll each cookie in the powdered sugar and let it cool completely.

Store the cookies in air tight containers.

Note :

The nuts can be roasted in oven, I suggest frying in butter makes the cookies more tasty.

Instead of rolling each cookie in powdered sugar , can sift the powdered sugar above cookies.

Makes about 30 cookies.