Top Five Friday #12 : Summer Fruits

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!! I don't know about you, but this week has been dragging on!  I'm so excited for today, because the Friday Five theme is Summer Fruit!  I absolutely love fruit all times of the year, but it seems to taste better in the summer.  Anyone else agree? 

Instead of picking five different fruits, I decided to focus on my one true (food) love: MANGO.  I absolutely love eating mango, and I try to use it in different ways.  Today I'll share my five favorite ways to eat mango, with some recipes!  

 

Fruit Salad


mango + strawberry + blueberry + blackberry + raspberry + pineapple
I love trying different combinations of fruit, so mix it up!  A tropical salad is also great with fruits like papaya and starfruit.  Yum!

Mango Salsa 


1 mango + 2T cilantro + lime juice + 2T orange juice +1/3 cup red bell pepper + 3T red onion
I love this either on its own with some chips, or on top of salmon for a yummy summer dinner!

Mango Smoothie

 1 cup juice + 1 acai packet + handful of frozen mango + blender 
I've been loving smoothies lately!  Once again the possibilities are endless with this "recipe"- mix and match with your favorite fruits and juices!

Mango Sorbet

Image from http://susikochenundbacken.blogspot.com/2010/06/ice-cream-fridays-mango-sorbet.html
 frozen mango + a few drops of water + blender
I love having sorbet for a guilt-free dessert.  Sometimes I'll top it off with whipped cream to make it a little more special!

Dried Mango Slices

 One of my favorite snacks!  These are so good on their own or mixed with some nuts for a trail mix.  I love taking these to work for a mid-afternoon snack!



Easy Guide to Cutting a Mango


Make two cuts a few centimeters from the center of the mango (this is where the seed is).  Make sure that you're cutting vertically on the thinner side of the mango - you should cut parallel to the seed.

Cut a checkerboard pattern into the mango, making sure not to cut all the way through the skin.

Turn the scored mango half inside out by pushing the skin up from underneath, and scrape the mango chunks off of the skin with a knife or spoon.  Do this on the other side and enjoy!

Linking up with Mar, Cynthia and Courtney as well as Heather and Clare!!

What's your favorite fruit?
Any one else love mango?
Who's ready for the LONG WEEKEND? me me me!

Comments

  1. Fairytales and FitnessMay 22, 2015 at 5:34 AM

    When I taught my Nutrition classes we did a unit on fruit and Mango was one that not everyone had tried. I don't mind it if it's in a recipe but I just can't get use to eating it on its own.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMay 22, 2015 at 6:37 AM

      That sounds like a fun class! I'm surprised people haven't tried it..I probably eat it more than any other fruit!

      Delete
  2. Susie @ SuzlyfeMay 22, 2015 at 5:37 AM

    Love mangos, but I'm alllllll about stone fruits. If it has a pit, I am going to make it my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMay 22, 2015 at 6:37 AM

      mmmmmmm mee too! I love peaches in the summer, especially ones from Georgia that are huge, soft and juicy!

      Delete
  3. MCM MamaMay 22, 2015 at 5:43 AM

    I love mango! Thanks for the salsa recipe - I've wondered about making my own and that looks super simple!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMay 22, 2015 at 6:38 AM

      I hope you try it! It's so good :) You can also add jalepenos if you want but I'm a wimp with heat!

      Delete
  4. UnknownMay 22, 2015 at 6:05 AM

    I agree! I love fruits all year round, but they're usually better (and cheaper!) in summer. Our of all the fruits, there is only one I don't love: mango. :-( That's just eating it plain, though. I wonder if I'd like it more in a recipe like this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMay 22, 2015 at 6:38 AM

      Haha that's so funny! I can't imagine not liking it..the flavor and texture is perfect to me! You might like it in a recipe, especially the salsa. It's really subtle in that, just gives a bit of sweetness :)

      Delete
  5. AnonymousMay 22, 2015 at 6:26 AM

    Guess I'm going to have to include some mango in my shopping cart next week :) I had some dried mango slices at work the other day and they hit the spot ! Favorite fruit at the moment - acai berries, blueberries, banana (always). Now that fruit is back in season I cannot get enough! Only a few more hours til the weekend! WOOOO Hope you have a great one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMay 22, 2015 at 6:39 AM

      I've never tried actual acai berries, just the packets. I'm so excited for the weekend- hope yours is great too!

      Delete
  6. Anna-Marie @BeautyandtheBeetsMay 22, 2015 at 7:25 AM

    I love mango salsa- pineapple salsa too! I am always so bad at cutting mango no matter how many times I've learned how to do it!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMay 22, 2015 at 4:49 PM

      Ohhh I'll have to try making pineapple salsa!! Practice makes perfect :) (hopefully!)

      Delete
  7. Alanna @ Madeleines & MarathonsMay 22, 2015 at 9:42 AM

    I love mango! My husband got me a large box of them from Sam's club. He made some mango salsa which was great. I also put one in a smoothie with blackberries and it was wonderful! I used to think that cutting them was a pain but I feel like a pro now with all of this practice. My daughter loves them too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMay 22, 2015 at 4:51 PM

      Ohhh that sounds like a great smoothie! I bet you're a pro...great job!

      Delete
  8. UnknownMay 22, 2015 at 1:09 PM

    Mango is one of my favorites as well! I love this time of year because they are incredibly fresh and decadent. Thank you for all of the great ideas. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMay 22, 2015 at 4:52 PM

      I'm glad someone else likes them! Hope you try a recipe out...I love them all!

      Delete
  9. Meredith @ Cookie ChRUNiclesMay 23, 2015 at 1:43 AM

    I like mango salsa and love sushi rolls which have mango in them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMay 23, 2015 at 5:23 PM

      Ohhh I don't think I've tried that before, but that sounds delicious!

      Delete
  10. Mar @ Mar on the RunMay 23, 2015 at 7:00 AM

    YES! mango salsa FTW!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC May 23, 2015 at 9:06 AM

    i'm not a big mango gal but i do like mango salsa :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMay 23, 2015 at 5:24 PM

      I love it all lol!! glad that you like the salsa at least!

      Delete
  12. HoHo RunsMay 23, 2015 at 4:38 PM

    I love mango salsa! Also, mango margaritas are delicious too! Thanks for the cutting tip.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMay 23, 2015 at 5:24 PM

      Oh I'll have to make those soon! Thanks for the idea :)

      Delete

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