Mango Chilli Lime Sauce

You probably don’t know it yet, but you’ve been missing out on this Mango Chilli Lime Sauce all this time! Let’s change that, shall we? 😉

Isn’t it funny how we don’t understand the versatility of an ingredient until we put ourselves on an exploration and experimentation streak? It makes me wonder, is that how Carrot Cake came to be? Or Chocolate Zucchini Bread?

Before I challenged myself to the month-long May Mango Mania series, mangoes were just a fruit that I occasionally baked with, or ate just as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Now I know that mangoes are a beautiful addition to a Prawn & Avocado salad; can be set in a jelly layered with Panna Cotta, in a cocktail which is now my favourite drink; and my, do they steal the show in this Baked Mango Coconut Chicken?!

During the course of this month, I have wrung the humble mango (also known as the king of fruits, you decide which!), till I could extract all its goodness, thereby making it one of the most versatile ingredients I’ve worked with.

Speaking about versatility, let’s talk about this Mango Chilli Lime Sauce and how it is a gift that keeps on giving! It’s a hot and sweet sauce, made entirely from scratch in a jiffy. It can be bottled and stored in the refrigerator for weeks, during which you will NOT find yourself reaching for all the crazy (weird?) sauces and dips in the condiment section at the store.

Inspired by Nando’s Mango Lime Peri Peri sauce (which is definitely my favourite on the menu), this Mango Chilli Lime Sauce is effortlessly adaptable. At one point it is a dipping sauce; at another, you can turn it into a creamy mango mayo dip with the addition of a little mayonnaise. It can be a marinade for meats and chicken or a light, lip-smacking dressing for salads, if diluted a little. It can be eaten as is with chicken nuggets and fries, or with veggie sticks for a healthy snack. It even deserves a place on a cheese board.

It is THAT versatile, smoothly slipping its way into just about any or all meal courses till you can no longer live without it! I kid you not.

This recipe makes roughly 2 cups of sauce. Here’s what you need:

• Olive Oil – 1 tbsp
• Onion – 1 medium, diced
• Garlic – 2 large cloves, minced
• Ginger – 1 inch piece, minced
• Red Chilli – 2, chopped finely
• Mangoes – 2 medium, freshly pureed
• Juice of 2 limes
• Honey – 3 tbsp
• Water – 6-7 tbsp
• Salt – to taste

Here’s how you make this mouthwatering Mango Chilli Lime Sauce:

• Heat olive oil in a pan and add in the onion, garlic, ginger and red chilli; sauté until the onions are translucent and the ginger and garlic are aromatic.
• Pour the prepared fresh mango puree into the pan, mix and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling. When cooked through, take it off the heat and let it cool completely.
• Once cooled, empty the sauce into the blender, add honey and lime juice and blend until the sauce is smooth and thick. As you blend, keep adding a tablespoon of water at a time till you get the desired consistency. (I prefer to keep the sauce thick, and dilute a small portion at a time depending on what I’m using it for.)
• Season the sauce with salt and adjust the sweetness, spice and tang depending on how you like it. Pour the sauce into a glass bottle and refrigerate.

Look at that gorgeous colour! Well, thankfully, that’s not all that is beautiful about this Mango Chilli Lime Sauce. Hot and sweet and sticky, this sauce really packs a punch. While the golden mangoes lend the sauce its hue and sweetness, the chillies come blazing in with their heat. The lime cuts through the sharp flavours, managing a smooth balancing act while pumping up the zing; and the honey melds right in, bringing sweetness and viscosity. The onions, garlic and ginger give the sauce its body and lend savoury flavour notes that are both unmistakable and delightful!

This sauce is a real charmer. My mum kept going back for more nuggets after the photoshoot (she’s so sweet to delay her afternoon nap just to hand model for me!) just so she could relish the sauce; and the boyfriend said it was so good, I should bottle it and sell it just like Gloria does on Modern Family! 😛

But hey, sauce business be damned. I couldn’t wait to share this recipe with you guys! 🙂 So, there you have it. A piquant Mango Chilli Lime Sauce that I hope will earn its place at your dinner table! I hope you love it as much as we do. ❤

Want to Pin This recipe for later? Here you go…

Psst… If you’d like to, you could come check me out on Pinterest! I pin a tonne of fun stuff – chocolate, lots of dessert, easy weeknight recipes; and home decor (I’m obsessed with home office spaces!)😛

Also, for regular updates on what’s happening in The Foodscape kitchen, follow me on Instagram at @thefoodscape! You’ll love all the deliciousness there, I promise! ❤