First and foremost, apparently I have been misspelling vinaigrette for my entire adult life.
But doesn’t it look weird? Like, sometimes you stare so hard at a word that you begin to doubt that’s the real spelling? Does that only happen to me? Vinaigrette just looks funny and wouldn’t one assume the correct spelling of an emulsion dressing made out of vinegar would be properly spelled vinegarette instead?
I did just fine on the SATs, why do you ask?
The second thing I must discuss is that, for the past week, it has just been way too hot for me to even consider turning on the oven. There’s just so much my little a/c can do. Therefore, I’ve been living off salads and wasabi roasted seaweed snacks…as well as leftover frozen Christmas cookies.
But I figured it’s summer and we can never have too many salads! Especially when said salads involve one of my very favorite vegetables, jicama!
If you’ve never tried jicama, you must!! The best way I know to describe it is as a delicious, crunchy, opaque carrot. And that doesn’t make much sense now, does it? You’ll just have to trust me on this.
One of my favorite ways to eat jicama is sliced up with a sprinkle of lime juice and cayenne pepper. It’s the ultimate refreshing snack for when the temperature is soaring outside and you’re down to crumbs in your frozen Christmas cookie stash.
Jicama has a ginger-like skin, and I’ve found the best way to peel it is by scraping it with a spoon…the same way I peel ginger. It takes a little muscle but the end result is worth it.
This salad also features one of my very favorite fruits, mango!
Oh.my.sweet.goodness how I adore mangoes. I think the thing I loved the most about the fruit feast was that I was free to eat, like, four a day. I especially love the champagne mangoes, which are I believe, on sale for 5 for $5 right now at Whole Foods.
And it’s the sweet juicy texture of the mango paired with the crunchy jicama that makes this salad shine!
Every bite is filled with sweet mango, crunchy jicama and zesty lime VINAIGRETTE. I used the same dressing on this as I did on my black bean, quinoa and citrus salad because it was just so darn good then. And it’s even better now!
I’d serve with with some grilled portobellos stuffed with goat cheese and herbs, grilled salmon and strawberry agua fresca on a hot summer night.
Now please excuse me while I go slurp on a mango.
Jicama Mango Salad with Zesty Lime Vinaigrette
serves 4
Ingredients:
1 jicama, peeled and small diced
1 large mango, peeled and small diced
4 green onions, thinly sliced (white and light green parts only)
5-6 cups arugula or spring mix
dressing:
juice of three limes
2 T extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp ground cumin
pinch of salt
Directions:
Toss all salad ingredients together in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients and just before serving, toss everything together.
Time:
5 minutes
Molly @ RDexposed
June 24, 2011 at 4:47 amI have had difficulty spelling it myself! I have looked it up and found that there are 2 acceptable spellings. I probably have to look it up at least once a week so I don’t look like a fool when I’m charting a pt’s food history.
PS, jicamas are made for salads! They are like none other!
Baking 'n' Books
June 24, 2011 at 4:47 amMangos are everywhere in the stores now. I should try – I keep thinking it’s like a melon type taste.
Hmm…are you now on a “Salad Experiment Feast”…? 😉
sisters running the kitchen
June 24, 2011 at 4:51 amlove jicama! this salad sounds nice and fresh 🙂
Wenderly
June 24, 2011 at 4:57 amI *adore* jicama! This looks so fresh-summer-crunch! I buy the Trader Joe’s fresh veggie combo that has jicama in it and mix it with tuna. I can’t wait to try this!
Heather
June 24, 2011 at 4:58 amAnything with jicama, mango, and the word zesty has my attention! I love salads that are a little more exciting than the traditional greens and veggies 🙂
katie @KatieDid
June 24, 2011 at 5:03 amThe other night I went out for thai food and tried a new salad to me (Som Tam). It was all shredded veggies in this amazinggggg peanuty lime sauce, and this salad is reminding me of it. I’ve been thinking about recreating the dressing because it was the most addicting thing in the world, and this seems like a good place to start!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
June 24, 2011 at 5:04 amI just made a mango and jicama salad recently too! Love jicama 🙂
Blog is the New Black
June 24, 2011 at 5:09 amAwesome recipe! Love mango anything!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
June 24, 2011 at 5:11 amThis recipe is a greatt chance to try jicama 🙂 I am livingLIVING off of summa salads. I just did acouple on my blog http://lauren-whatlaurenlikes.blogspot.com/2011/06/if-you-like-it-then-you-shoulda-put-lid.html
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
June 24, 2011 at 5:18 amI love jicama and I love mango… perfect salad!
Kath
June 24, 2011 at 5:28 amI don’t think I have ever spelled vinegarette right. I know there’s an i in there, but I never know where to put it!
I also can’t spell nauseaous.
Nausaous?
Nauseous?
I think that’s right.
Cait's Plate
June 24, 2011 at 5:28 amI’ve never had jicama – I’ve always been too intimidating, but now that I have a recipe to work off of (and one that looks so delicious) I’ll glad pick one up and try it. Last week I tried fennel for the first time too – I really have to stop avoiding delicious foods just because I don’t know what to do with them! Haha
Stephanie @ The International Cooking Club
June 24, 2011 at 5:29 amStumbled upon your blog and I am in awe! Really like it! So colourful and nice! How do you make those beautiful pictures???
Love your philosophy of life as well, I try to uphold the same! 🙂
Cheers, and will be following you… if you don’t mind!
Steph
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
June 24, 2011 at 5:32 amVinaigrette is one of those words that 100% of the time, the spell checker clicks on with a red line underneath it, i.e. WRONG spelling. Thank god for miracles like spell checking.
I love jicama! Crunchy, opaque carrot…that’s really good!
And mangoes, nice. Love.Them. Champagne mangoes, that’s a steal at your WFs! Because they pull from regional growers, pretty sure the WFs in say Minneapolis wouldnt have that special, but at the San Diego farmers market last weekend there were tons of champagne mangoes and I sampled a few. Delish.
GREAT SALAD, Jenna! 🙂
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove
June 24, 2011 at 5:54 amSometimes, if my brain is turned off, I misspell “recipe”. For some reason, I keep thinking it’s “recipie”. Oh well.
Anyway, this salad looks wonderful! I’ve never had champagne mangoes but maybe this is the perfect excuse to try them!
Vanessa @ Project Zen
June 24, 2011 at 5:56 amIt’s refreshing to see how you are back to eating a healthier diet and rather than the not so healthy choices we’ve seen .
The salad looks fabulous. Can’t wait to try the dressing.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
June 24, 2011 at 6:07 amI love mangoes, too, but I can never figure out how to cut them.
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food
June 24, 2011 at 6:09 ammmm that looks wonderfully fresh and light, perfect for summer! 🙂
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
June 24, 2011 at 6:12 amThis sounds lovely Jenna! I tried jicama for the first time last year (after finally tracking it down in a very long hunt!) and love how nice and crunchy it is. I like mine with a drizzle of lemon juice…. and sometimes dipped in hummus (if I’m really going all out lol!)
Liv @ The Salty n' Sweet
June 24, 2011 at 6:18 amI love adding sweet touches to any salad, like cranberries and strawberries, so I’m sure I’d love this salad 🙂
Joelle (On A Pink Typewriter)
June 24, 2011 at 6:40 amJicama has always seemed so mysterious to me! Fun to say but I never knew what to do w it… til now! 😉
jamie @ jamelafamela
June 24, 2011 at 6:48 ammmm looks delicious- im gonna have to get me some jicama!
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
June 24, 2011 at 6:54 amYour tablecloth is adorable!
Heather
June 24, 2011 at 7:00 amI absolutely adore mango, so any vehicle to get me more of that is good for me!
The Teenage Taste
June 24, 2011 at 7:01 amTo this day I still cannot spell “vinaigrette” without the aid of spell check. 😛
Dorothy
June 24, 2011 at 7:01 amHi, Didn’t you move to SF not long ago.? We’re about to embark on an East to West move ourselves… Do you love it?
Natalie
June 24, 2011 at 7:26 amis that a tablecloth or placemat? it’s soo cute! can you disclose where you found it?!
jenna
June 24, 2011 at 7:27 amit’s a placemat and I found it at tj maxx!
Natalie
June 24, 2011 at 7:52 amthanks! your blog is part of my morning routine:) thanks for all your posts!!
Julie
June 24, 2011 at 7:29 amVinaigrette – from the French – vinaigre for vinegar…
jenna
June 24, 2011 at 7:42 amgold star!
Estela @ Weekly Bite
June 24, 2011 at 7:35 amI love jicama! Its so refreshing and crisp for summer 🙂
Cate
June 24, 2011 at 7:57 amLove those colorful measuring spoons…are they from a kids’ cookbook? I had the same ones and I will ALWAYS think of tablespoons as yellow and teaspoons as blue from now on.
jenna
June 24, 2011 at 8:30 amthey are! I’ve had them for about 20 years now. I don’t know if that’s sanitary or not but I love them all the same
Michelle | Gold-Hearted Girl
June 24, 2011 at 8:22 amThis is definitely the perfect summer salad! I love mango and jicama together! The perfect mix of crunch and soft…
http://goldhearted.etsy.com
Jackie @ That Deep Breath
June 24, 2011 at 8:28 amWow, I guess I’ve been spelling it wrong too all this time! That salad looks great, I’m on a mission to try jicama now!
Sabrina @ Radioactive Runner
June 24, 2011 at 8:42 amI love jicama!! My husband introduced it to me. I love the idea of putting it in salads! Normally we just eat it with fresh lime juice and “tajin”..a spice that is made for fruits.
Tracy
June 24, 2011 at 8:51 amLooks sweet and simple. I love jicama, I’m wondering if you can purchase it already peeled and sliced. I will have to look around, maybe Trader Joe’s?
Laura @ Cookies vs. Carrots
June 24, 2011 at 8:52 amThis looks fabulous! I’ve been nervous about trying jicama, but you might have given me the perfect reason to take the risk!
Cat @Breakfast to Bed
June 24, 2011 at 9:00 amI had no idea you could peel jicama that way!
Lauri (Redheadrecipes.com)
June 24, 2011 at 9:12 amI’ve enjoyed Jicama (That’s a weird one to spell too!) once in a salad at the airport! I LOVED its crunch and light taste! Then I bought one from the store and never did anything with it 🙁
Looks like its time to try again. Thanks for the recipe!!
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef
June 24, 2011 at 9:38 amlooks delicious! i’ve made jicama fries before but never used it in a salad. i’ll have to try it!
Katrina
June 24, 2011 at 9:39 amIs it weird that I’ve never heard of a jicama before?! haha this salad sounds awesome!
kristen
June 24, 2011 at 9:58 amHi Jenna! I wondered if you could do a post on how to make so many wonderful and fresh recipes on a budget? Do you have any secrets? Our budget is rather tight, but I would love to figure out how to stretch it further, esp. to be able to make more of your wonderful recipes!
French Heart
June 24, 2011 at 10:09 amLooks beautiful & sounds delicious. I buy 5 mangoes a week at Whole Foods for smoothies…so good. Thanks! Great pix, too!
gia
June 24, 2011 at 10:19 amhellooo wasabi flavored seaweed snacks? do tell…!
Stephanie @ Fear Of Bananas
June 24, 2011 at 10:21 amI cannot spell vinaigrette either! I don’t even bother to try anymore. I just rely on spell check to find it and fix it. The sad thing is I probably write/type it at least once a day and I still can’t figure it out. Glad I’m not the only one! Also, I am loving all of your quinoa recipes right now, it’s probably in my top 5 ingredients used currently.
Meghan @ StruggleMuffins
June 24, 2011 at 10:23 amJicama is yumazing, as is mango! Its not at all warm in MA right now but these salads you’re churning out look so fresh and light and appealing that I’m just going to have to make them, end of story.
Gina (Yogattude)
June 24, 2011 at 10:52 amI love all these new light, refreshing recipes! I need to make a list of priority recipes to make this weekend!
Urban Wife
June 24, 2011 at 11:12 amThanks for the spelling lesson! 🙂 I don’t have to say that this salad looks absolutely wonderful. I wonder if our local Publix carries jicama. Hmmm…any other similar substitute I could use?
dani
June 24, 2011 at 12:04 pmvinaigrette comes from the French word (vin aigre actually means sour wine) 🙂
Mastering Public Health (@MasPublicHealth)
June 24, 2011 at 12:05 pmTo playfully continue your spelling/grammar self-deprecation, in the line: “I did just fine on the SATs, why do you ask?” the comma should be a semi-colon. 😉
Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
June 24, 2011 at 12:33 pmThe whole vinaigrette and vinegar thing always throws me through loop too. especially balsamic. I’m I just pronouncing all this words incorrectly or am I truly just a terrible speller?!! Probably both…
Katie at Faith & Funfetti
June 24, 2011 at 12:41 pmI haven’t ever tried jicama but mangos are a favorite of mine as well so I’ll have to give this a try! 🙂
Errign
June 24, 2011 at 3:02 pmI used to always rely on spell check to help with vinaigrette! I also seem to always have trouble with recommend for some reason…weird!
Salad looks great!
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather
June 24, 2011 at 3:44 pmI always have trouble with that word too! This salad looks perfect for summer. I always love chopping up mangos so that I get the pit to myself, hehe.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
June 24, 2011 at 4:26 pmI keep seeing jicama pop up in recipes, but I’ve never tried it! I don’t even know if I’ve seen it at my usual grocery store before. I’ll have to look out for it next time I’m at WF!
Amelia
June 24, 2011 at 5:16 pmLooks so refreshing! I just found out that I am allergic to mango though (only if I touch the sap or the sap touches the fleshy part of the fruit). I’m thinking peaches or watermelon might be a tasty sub?
Courtney @ Girl In The Pink
June 24, 2011 at 5:41 pmTotally inspired to pick up jicama at the farmers market tomorrow! 🙂
Paige @ Running Around Normal
June 24, 2011 at 6:15 pmI always wonder what to do with jicamas, and then I always end up making jicama fries!
amy
June 24, 2011 at 6:34 pmHuh, interesting, it’s always been vinaigrette to me. This is the first I’ve heard of vinegar-ette! ha
Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out
June 24, 2011 at 6:45 pmThat sounds horrible (The peeling; Not the salad). I will appreciate the jicama salad I get at a local restaurant, now…. I know the work that went into it! And it’s definitely worth $12!
Mellie
June 24, 2011 at 7:45 pmI always thought it was spelled vinegarette too! The salad looks great; i love mangoes.
amy walters, aDESIGNdock
June 24, 2011 at 8:43 pmLove the photos…looks fab!
Nadia
June 25, 2011 at 7:48 amDidn’t you go to culinary school in France? 🙂 The spelling is based on the French ‘vinaigre’ as you probably already knew! And looks so yummy!
Jess
June 25, 2011 at 8:49 amYum! Salads with fresh fruit are one of the best warm weather meals 🙂
Kate
June 25, 2011 at 8:37 pmLooks delicious. I make a coleslaw-ish version of this with jicama, mango, cumin, lime, olive oil, scallions, salt, pepper, chipotle chiles, and shredded kohlrabi when trying to use up vast amounts of kohlrabi from my CSA box.
Samantha
June 26, 2011 at 10:44 amI think it’s spelled vinaigrette because it comes from the French “vinaigre”, but that’s just my guess…
Samantha
June 26, 2011 at 10:46 amah, someone already said that… !
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