Have you found your spot yet?
You know that place near or far, real or imagined, that allows you to be a little bit more like yourself and a little bit less like the impostor who sometimes inhabits your being?
I spent some time up at my spot this weekend. In fact, for the first time in nine years, I spent 24 blessed hours all.by.myself. at my spot. Not another soul in sight (except for my four-legged companion that is). A rare opportunity indeed.
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| my spot |
And the funny thing? I almost didn’t go. 30 degrees and brilliant skies but I had the usual litany of excuses swirling around in my head: I should really stay in town and put some order in the house while I can… wash the floors, get the cupboards organized, match socks.
Yeah. Maybe not.
Find your spot. Wonderful things happen there.
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I love the combination of mango and cucumber in the summertime. Juicy, refreshing and hydrating – not to mention delicious.
It also reminds me of one of my all time favourite salads (which I’m pretty sure I could eat every day if required).
The chickpea (and peanut) in this recipe transforms the salad into a meal with its quality plant protein and fulsome fibre. Add a little cilantro and a drizzle of spicy peanut sauce and you’ve got a wonderfully tasty, no-cook, meatless meal option – lunch or supper – any day of the week!
If you have vegetarian teenagers in the house, this is a healthy, well-balanced and hassle-free meal they can whip up on their own.
Mango Chickpea Lettuce Cups with a Spicy Peanut Sauce
For the Mango Chickpea Lettuce Cups:
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1 head Butter (aka: Boston or Bibb) lettuce, leaves gently removed
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2 cups cooked chickpea, well rinsed if using canned
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1 large ripe mango, roughly diced
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1/2 English cucumber, roughly diced
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2 Tbsp scallions (green onion), sliced
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1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
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1/4 cup natural peanuts, chopped
For the Spicy Peanut Sauce:
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2 Tbsp all natural peanut butter
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1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
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2 Tbsp water
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1 tsp fresh lime juice
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1 tsp sesame oil
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1-2 tsp chili garlic sauce
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1 tsp brown sugar
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Sprinkle of dry chili peppers, as desired
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Directions:
Serves 4
To create lettuce ‘cups’ simply place two or three leaves together in an overlapping fashion, trying to fit them together such that they form the best cup shape possible (not an exact science).
Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl, combine chickpea, mango, cucumber, onion and cilantro. Mix ingredients together gently to combine.
Place about one quarter cup of chickpea filling into each lettuce cup (more/less depending on size of cups). Top each cup with some chopped peanuts.
For the dressing, place all spicy peanut sauce ingredients together in a small bowl and whisk to combine. If you find the consistency too thick, simply add a little more water.
Once the dressing ingredients are well combined, drizzle the spicy peanut sauce over the mango chickpea lettuce cups and enjoy.
That looks so fresh and appetizing. The husband randomly hates cucumbers (which is the weirdest thing I’d ever heard of since I love cukes) but I’d love to try a version of this with zucchini in place of them.
This looks very light and delicious. I love anything with peanut sauce!
Looks so good I had to pin it :-)
Kelly, so glad you were able to find some time for yourself. What a pretty presentation and love the combination of mangos and cucumbers in this recipe with a protein punch of chickpeas.
Wow! That looks delicious!!
I love this! Its very simple, yet looks as though its full of flavor! Chickpeas are one of my favorite fiber-rich foods too, so I know it would be a winner at my house this time of year.
I don’t have a spot, really. Moved around too much! But, your spot looks lovely!
I really love these lettuce cups. I am crazy about mango right now!
This is so thai delicious my friend :D
Looks perfect!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
This would be the perfect hot summer day meal. Good for you for getting away. After all when you’re 80 you won’t remember how you stayed home that weekend to match socks!
Haha! I hate shopping centres too. I meant going from one shop to the other (in a city centre), and when one is tired, having a cup of coffee outside a café or a glass of wine preferably with a good shopping friend ;-)
So glad you got a chance to relax, distraction-free. Sounds like you needed it :) I don’t have a spot, but think i need to get one!
I love a good spicy peanut sauce and this sound delicious and perfect for warmer days.
My spot is at the edge of the Ramon Crater, it is simply the most peaceful place I have ever been and just love going there. Love these lettuce cups. Such a perfect summer lunch or snack!!
So healthy and delicious! Wonderful recipe – thank you for sharing :-)
Wonderful advice, Kelly!! I’m glad you could enjoy your spot :-)
These look so light and amazing. I love peanut sauce! I love wraps but try not to eat too much bread/wheat, so lettuce wraps are perfect for me. I’m so sure I will make these at some point this summer!
Can’t say I’ve found my spot yet, although lying on my couch at home is a pretty good feeling :D
I don’t think I’ve tried mango and cucumber before, or maybe I did, can’t really remember – not like this in a cup at any rate. Love the chickpeas to give it a bit of body and the sauce… mm, sounds wonderful!
Your “spot” looks wonderfully peaceful! I love this for a light, healthy meat free summer meal!
Gosh … I did have a spot. I’d totally forgot about it since moving to the big city. No spots here, just a whole lot of blemishes :)
I’ll need to drive 3 hours to my spot again …. by the sea, on a big rock…. yes, thanks for the reminder.
And mangoes! I’d just got myself another big bunch of them this morning. Great timing! This is just perfect for a light lunch … I’m trying real hard to get my diet started ;)
What a beautiful spot! So glad you decided to go! The house can always wait another day. Through the years I have found many such spots but as I’ve gotten older, they have gotten closer and closer to home. Now my spot is my front porch with a beautiful view of a park across our quiet street. Everyone needs time to themselves so I’m glad you took the time. What a great and simple little salad! A very unusual flavor combination with the peanut butter, chilis, garlic and soy. Sounds wonderful!
If Mr. N saw this recipe, he’d be inviting himself over for dinner. :) I think I will teach him how to make this one. He will LOVE it! And personally I’m still longing for a view like that. I’m hoping to get to my spot this weekend – although I won’t be alone. Maybe next time. ;)
You know I really dont feel like cooking on some crazy hot days, This is so perfect. Cool and refreshing!!!
B/W I need to find my spot, god life have been absolutely tangled… I really need to find sometime time…
Living in the country I am SO lucky to have a spot, or perchance more than one . . . Quite necessary at times to retain sanity and one’s sense of humour. Meanwhile DO love your salad: the inclusion of the mango naturally makes all the difference . . . .
What a creative idea for lettuce cups!
Looks lovely and light. Love all the ingredients too.
Beautiful spot too. I haven’t had that kind of time to myself in a long time. Once the kids are a bit older perhaps then!
We all have a spot :) – I agree, when the days are hot and sticky, I just can’t bear to turn the oven on and sometimes, I don’t even want to deal with the bbq – a dressed up salad works!
Bed works ;-)
Haha, well I’m glad you survived your first mango experienced and lived to share it here! The peanut sauce is a very yummy accompaniment – I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try :)
The outdoor setting relaxes the body for the more difficult task of calming the mind ;-) Thanks Debra!
Thanks Mandy ~ I always forget how much I like butter lettuce until I experience it again… lip-smacking good!
I love it! When I actually find what I’m looking for on a shopping expedition, I can feel quite energized too but when it’s just spinning around in circles with poor lighting, no stairs and no air circulation – oy!
Hi Ashley! Our family just returned from a whirlwind trip to NYC in May… fabulous energy but there too is peace waiting to be uncovered ;-) Thank you for stopping by.
Ah, you can always find your spot in a quiet space in your home… it’s all what we dream up in our minds after all ;-) Cheers Angie.
Suzi, that such a great story – I was anticipating fear but had the same sense of peace; it was a quiet relief and I wasn’t quite ready to return either ;-) – thanks for sharing.
How fantastic that you were able to have such a treasured time in your spot – awesome!!!
Beautiful lettuce cups – love the idea of serving in the leaves.
:-) Mandy
Kelly, my favourite spots are shops… Especially during sales. You will not believe me, but nothing improves my mood, gives me energy for another several weeks like a day spent running around shops and finding “treasures”. I also like to spend some time near nature, but most of the time, when I feel bad, tired, sad, I go shopping (and the results are not the most important actually). I’m a city girl, alas.
Your snacks look gorgeous and I am happy I finally see a savoury peanut preparation because I hate peanut sweets and apparently I’m the only one ;-) I love peanut sauce with Thai skewers, so I’m sure I would love this one too.
It’s hard to find a spot in NYC where I feel solitude and peace, but I’m never not looking! Your spot is stunning! And this recipe looks perfect for summer refreshment.
I don’t have a spot…maybe I can join you ;-)
The lettuce cups look light and delicious. Bet that spicy peanut sauce would be great to toss with some pasta too.
Kelly I can totally relate to your finding your spot. A couple of years ago I went to my sisters cabin up in the mountains of North Carolinga. Just me and myself, no pet even. I thought I would be nervous there alone but I ended up staying for two weeks and in a way wasn’t really ready to go home. It was so beautiful and quiet. Your lettuce cups have a look of peacefulness with those light colors that blend so well. Lovely dish.
I really agree with your philosophy of finding and cultivating a place for peace! Your particular spot is just gorgeous. And this dish is, too. It really has a summery feel, and is healthy and appealing to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike! I’m also really happy to be introduced to your cookbook! You’re very talented!
This looks very healthy and fresh. I love peanut sauces, and really, anything that tastes like peanuts. I adore mangoes. The first time I ate one all to myself, I was afraid that I would poison myself, but I did a fine job of peeling it and was alright. LOL.
Eva, I can completely relate to your fear of spending the night…I didn’t think I was going to be able to do it in the dark, desolate, forest… and then came the light again. Besides, the best spots are always in our minds ;-)
Oh ya….sigh. I too have a spot. Sigh. Again. Lucky you to be able to head to the cottage to enjoy your spot, Kelly. I’m a bit of a suck and won’t go up alone, it’s just to remote for my taste. I could do it during the day, but night…too scary!
Another wonderful combo of flavours. I too love mango and cucumber, and the chick peas would add some amazing texture! Hopefully Kristy (Eat, Play, Love) will see it, chick peas are her family’s favourite!
Now your favourite salad looks like something I could have everyday as well. I adore fennel and mango combo. First time I ever had it was a Bar Mercurio in Toronto (my fav Italian place); they served it under grilled calamari which they took off the menu, sadly. I’m going to need some tasty summer no cook salads. Have a great week.
Eva
Oh, yum. My spot is probably in bed… especially the days I get to sleep in. Haha!
Ohhh please take me to your spot! I don’t have a spot… I’m always between my kids! LOL. I love this light meal. Perfect for hot day that I don’t feel like eating or even cooking… :-)