Black Bean Mango Salsa

Black Bean Mango Salsa is my ultimate favorite healthy and refreshing appetizer. Easy, delicious, and done in 5 minutes! I make this for almost every party I host, and I host A LOT of parties. It is always a favorite, which pleases me because I am so tired of party appetizers being both fattening and unhealthy – not necessary! Click HERE for a link to vegan party platter recipes and ideas from my Alice in Wonderland themed birthday party a few years back!

Darkness Disclaimer!: On a personal note. What a crazy week. Trying to let anxieties go is incredibly hard, especially when people ignore things like “no-contact” orders. After a year of hell, I want to move on. I am SOOO ready to get to Shenzhen and start my new life with my little man. When the virus first hit I thought, yeah, it’ll be fine. No idea that it was going to be anything but fine, and that my July move date would be moved indefinitely. If everything goes well from this point forth, I’m hoping to be outta here in the next 4-8 weeks tops. I am hoping that China doesn’t close its borders because the US is gonna keep fucking up and our cases will soar. So frightening! Therefore, even if all of the past year (and some) of absolute horrendous hell is possibly dwindling, nothing will feel fully relaxed until I am in quarantine in my hotel in China! Send positive vibes, please!

I’ve been thinking that if what happened to me over the past 17 months had happened to me when I was younger, it would’ve motivated me to change careers to help advocate for people who were in a similar situation. The law has such fucked up loopholes and everyone with any authority is aware and sympathetic, but there is little help and no plans in motion for well-needed, must-have changes in our legal system. Currently, I’m on a path that makes me unwilling to shift gears; however, had I been in my twenties, this experience would’ve shaped what I did with my life in a professional sense and I would’ve said “goodbye” to teaching. To all of you amazing people out there who advocate for change and help women like me, THANK YOU! There are no words.

Okay, out of the darkness. Remember, this blog is called food-galley-GAB, and if you know me, “gab” is something that I excel at. LOL. I almost always have life stories, usually humorous, that I share. Anyway, this Black Bean Mango Salsa is the fucking bomb! It will not disappoint – promise. If you like the ingredients, you will like this salsa. Cheers to your next soirée! Margarita recipes coming soon. Perfect pairing. And yes, I am aware it is Autumn! However, I firmly believe margaritas have a place any time of year. 😉

This song reminds me of this appetizer, plus it is a longtime fave! For your cooking delight… “Put the lime in the coconut…”

Black Bean Mango Salsa

Servings: Party sized (Double for large party)

Ingredients –

1 can black beans – drained

2 fresh & ripe mangoes – diced

1 red pepper – diced

1/3 C red onion – diced

2 -3 cloves garlic – minced

1/4 C fresh lime juice (can save some slices of lime for garnish)

1/4 C fresh mint – chopped well (can save a couple of leaves for garnish)

1/4 C fresh cilantro – loosely chopped

1/4 tsp cumin

Salt to taste

*Optional – 1 ripe avocado – diced

*Optional – 1 small jalapeno – de-seeded and minced

*Optional – 2 green onions – diced

Directions –

Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well (mixing well is important for the flavor)!

Garnish if you’d like and serve with tortilla chips

Done!

Pair with –

Fresh margaritas