I had not known Bengalis to use mangoes in salad. To the east Indian residents, mangoes are usually used for sweetmeats and / or desserts. Salads are what cucumbers are bred for! And that notion was thwarted when my mom made together this wonderful raw mango salad.

Mango salads are quite popular, ‘cross cultures. It is a refreshing fruit; can be used in unripe and ripe stages and goes well with most other things. Most coastal countries have been using mangoes in their salads; from Haiti to Thai. The good thing about using raw mangoes is the added crunch from the fibres. The sourness can ride tandem with other flavours that can be introduced. Now for this easy-peazy mango salad recipe.

Chop up a raw mango into fine julienne. Now, in a mortar and pestle, crush up some dry mustard seeds. To that add, finely chopped green chillies and a handsome heave of coriander, chopped. The secret here is to add a dash of salt and double that of sugar.

In a bowl, mix the mango and the rest. Pour over a glug of mustard oil. Mix well and cool. Serve. Set. And Match.

The mustard oil and seeds add the sharp bite, the sugar balances the sourness of the mangoes and uplifts the heat of the green chillies. This is the most refreshing mango salad I have had in India.