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So.  Hmm.  Are you confused?

Because I’m confused.  Are you sure we’re in the right place?

Am I feverish?  Can you feel my forehead?

Cold?  Really?  (Well, understandable given the fact that I’m pretty sure my fingers turn blue whenever I get into my now-not-scalding shower.  I need to be burnt, people.  BURNT.  Sigh.  A girl can dream.)

But, really.  Not feverish?  You’re sure?

Maybe my blood has frozen from that damn shower (no, I can’t get over it. It haunts me.) and no oxygen is getting to my head. That seems realistic and plausible.

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But.  Huh.

No, no, no.  I must be.

Because do you see what I did up there?  I took the pork out of picadillo.  TOOK IT OUT.  Can you do that?

Are representatives from every Latin American country from which it is indigenous going to knock down my door at any second and carry me away, never to be seen or heard from again?  Also.  Realistic and plausible.

Maybe they’d take me somewhere where I could grow mangoes in my backyard.  And avocados on my front step.  And plantains on my side porch.

In which case. I’d be down.

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In all likelihood, they will not be so nice.

They’ll probably force me to take a lukewarm-bordering-on-cold shower every night for a week.  Oh.  Wait.  That already happens. Oops.

It’s a good thing this lentil mango picadillo was worth it.

It was just so insanely full of flavor.  All of those spices, the sweet yet tangy yet best-fruit-on-this-earth mango, the kick of the salsa.  The stuff that dreams are made of.

You won’t even miss the meat.  I swear.

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Lentil Mango Picadillo
Serves 4, adapted from Simply Recipes

1 1/2 cups lentils
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 cup chunky tomato-based salsa
1 large mango or 2 small mangoes, peeled pitted and cubed
2 tbsp toasted almonds, chopped
2 tbsp cilantro leaves
couscous, rice, barley, quinoa, etc. (optional)

1. Place lentils in a large pan.  Cover with 2 inches of well-salted water.  Bring to a boil.  Cover, lower heat to a simmer, and cook for 15-20 minutes or until lentils are tender.  Drain.

2. Heat a large non-stick skillet on medium heat.  Spray with cooking spray.  Stir in the onions and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the garlic, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cumin, oregano, and thyme.  Cook 2 minutes more.  Gently stir in cooked lentils, mango and salsa.

3. Lower the heat to low.  Cover and cook for 2 minutes.  Spoon into serving dish.  Sprinkle with chopped almonds and cilantro.

Since I served this over whole wheat couscous, I am submitting this to Presto Pasta Nights, which is being hosted this week by Allie of Yum in Tum.

I am also submitting it to this week’s edition of the Blogger Secret Ingredient (MANGO), which is being hosted by Brandy over at Nutmeg Nanny!

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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117 Responses to Lentil Mango Picadillo

  1. Ruth Daniels says:

    Before anything… let me say I love your plate. It’s gorgeous.

    As always I love your photos, your wry sense of humor… perhaps it’s the cold showers ;-D… and your delicious dishes. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights

  2. Simply Life says:

    I’ve been looking for more lentil recipes- I love this idea!

  3. Corina says:

    Another wonderful healthy dish. Your food is just making me drool these days.

  4. jenna laughs says:

    I can’t believe you made something without a member of the squash family in it 😉

    Just kidding. This looks wonderful! Fresh and springy.

  5. I am all over this. Mango and lentils together? forever? Sounds promising and oh so delicious! Love that you lived on the dangerous side and took out the pork. That is what we are supposed to do right? Improvise and recreate without losing flavor- of which this dish screams flavorful and fresh! Love it!

  6. Big Dude says:

    This looks delicious, but you and I eat very differently – probably why you’re thin and I’m not :-).

  7. janet says:

    Oh gosh, I am in heaven. Mango beats pork ANYTIME!! Usually I just eat the mangos as is, but I love savoury dishes with fruit!

  8. crustabakes says:

    hi five on “the sweet yet tangy yet best-fruit-on-this-earth mango” . I definitely wont be missing the meat in here.

  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

  10. Katerina says:

    I can see that you are in a lentil mood lately Joanne! Another great dish! Fusion food is always intriguing me!

  11. BigAppleNosh says:

    Yum, I would devour that pronto!

  12. Mango and lentils? You got me in the mood for this dish and you know I don’t care for meatless dish right? You are definitely on a lentil mood Joanne… but love it… really love it!

  13. Mango and pork is unusual. Mango and lentil? I reckon you should attempt the worlds first pulled lentils! If you can pull it off, you’re a rock star:)

  14. This looks amazing and I don’t see how this recipe could need pork at all!

  15. No pork? So that would be a peccadillo of a piccadillo?

    Looks really good. I like trying new things for my family to try.

  16. Johanna GGG says:

    There are days I feel out of touch with the meat eating world or maybe it is just my lack of understanding of latin american cooking. But I hope it wouldn’t shock you to hear that I wouldn’t know a picadillo if i tripped over it and I certainly feel lentils seem so much more right than any sort of meat. So if they are mean to you, just come and see me and I will tell you it is quite natural and you deserve hot showers for such a lovely recipe 🙂

  17. Joanne says:

    This looks so good, and I’d prefer it without the pork. I love meatless meals, they’re just so much lighter, and I seem to be more energized by them.

  18. brandi says:

    not a big fan of mango, but I bet this would also be awesome with pineapple!

  19. I’ll totally let you take the pork out! I like lentils better!

  20. Shannon says:

    I have one very large mango at home ready to to be made into something delicious. So thanks for this.

    And I want a photography lesson. STAT.

  21. Louanne says:

    What an amazing combo of flavors and textures! Delicious, Joanne, as always.

  22. I don’t eat pork, so this is probably the only version of Picadillo I would eat… and I would definitely do so happily. This sounds so delicious!

  23. Victoria says:

    I’m sorry you’re still taking cold showers 🙁 Boo hiss on your building for not fixing it already. I love the dish you served your “picadillo” in and I love the sound of the picadillo, pork or not. You know I love lentils, and mangoes are right up there too. I’m all for making dishes healthier and tastier. I’m sure I’d love this.

    PS Keep me posted on your trip to Boston. If I’m in RI I would def like to come see you at some point, let’s iron out the details when you get a chance. Not sure how long you’ll be around there.

  24. Danielle says:

    Love this it sounds great!

  25. Dawn says:

    I LOVE that you took the pork out so I can make this when I do my detox next month. I agreed to follow a blogger friend’s program for 21 days and it is all about whole foods (no meat except maybe some eggs and fish) so this is perfect!

  26. Swathi says:

    since you didn’t add any pork there I am in. I have a weakness towards mango.Mango and lentil sounds delicious though.

  27. daphne says:

    mango and lentils? that’s something that I would never have thought but would love to try!

  28. Very flavourful! Let me know if they take you away to that awesome tropical garden – I’ll come visit. ?

  29. Mary says:

    I never would have thought of this combination, but it is obviously working. It looks and sounds delicious. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  30. kitchenetta says:

    This sounds like the perfect marriage of flavors and ingredients!

  31. I just added you to my blogroll – I dont have a clue what took me so long!

  32. Love the mango sort of adding exotic touch to this healthy and delicious salad.

  33. Claudie says:

    Oh, this looks so good! Last night I made lentils with figs, and now I want to make some more with mango using your recipe 😀 haha… this week will be all lentils! poor hubby… ( I might have to add the pork for him 🙂 )

  34. That Girl says:

    And you didn’t even begin to talk about those gorgeous lentils!

  35. Mini Baker says:

    Just found your blog… can’t wait to look around. these lentils look DELISH!
    xo,
    Mini Baker

  36. Kristin says:

    This sounds and looks really good. I would love to be able to grow avocados and mangoes but I don’t think that they would fare well in the desert climate.The mango tree maybe but I don’t know if the avocado would like it as much. HaHa

  37. Suman Singh says:

    New dish to me, sound healthy and yummy!

  38. Amy says:

    I already don’t miss it. And that says a lot. Because…well…I like pig. In all forms. BUT I also love mango. And any reason to use my mango splitter, gets me distracted. I’m in.

  39. polwig says:

    No Sweet Potato this time? With dishes like this I will never miss meat.

  40. Mmm, with all those gorgeous spices this dish is a definite show stopper, I love it!

  41. Nadji says:

    Un mélange très inhabituel pour moi.
    Je pense que c’est délicieux.
    Je note.
    See soon.

  42. While I personally love weeknight meatless meals I’ve come to the conclusion that Boy puts up a fuss if there’s no meat (other forms of protein just don’t do it). So I may have to add the pork back into this but know that it’s not my choice.

  43. You got one happy customer here. Since I keep strictly kosher, pork is strictly off limits. This looks amazing. The fact that it’s vegetarian is a BIG plus.

  44. I love the idea of adding a ripe mango to a savory dish. I haven’t attempted that yet! It looks fab!

  45. Comfy Cook says:

    I was driving home and trying to remember what the BSI was and drew a complete blank. THen, I arrived here and there you were with your mangos.

    You always come through Joanne.

  46. I love how colorful this meal looks.I know what you mean when you say “you wont miss the meat”.Thats what is the part of juicy , succulent mango chunks in this dish.Love the magical flavors you have thrown in.

  47. sweetlife says:

    loving this flavroful makeover, a perfect healthy picadillo..great recipe, and amazing shots

    sweetlife

  48. Pam says:

    You always come up with the most unique and creative flavor combinations – this one looks fantastic.

  49. Beautiful dish and your photographs are stunning.

  50. Oooo, Lentils and Mango! What a wonderful idea. This is on next weeks dinner menu for sure. Thanks for another great idea! Hmmmm, I would be watching my back for hard core Cubano food militants in regards to the porkless picadillo thing. However, I totally and completely have your back sister! I’d rather eat this version any day!

  51. Megan says:

    This sounds like my kind of dish. I definitely wouldn’t miss the meat.

  52. OohLookBel says:

    You might be interested to know that you’ve become one of my sources of non-meat delicious dishes. This is a perfect example of what I mean, the lentils and all those spices would go so well with the mango. Just need to leave out the evil cilantro…

  53. Lisa D. says:

    Oh, my. This looks amazing! I will have to try this ASAP.

  54. this looks so good! i wouldn’t have thought of pairing lentil and mangoes, but now that i’m picturing it, it sounds divine.

  55. teresa says:

    this is fantastic! i love the mango, the flavors look so rich.

    good luck with that shower, what a pain!

  56. marla says:

    Love this meatless meal girl! Fabulous spices in this dish. The thought of lentils with the cinnamon, mango & savory spices is musical. For me, lentils with veggies is a complete & most welcomed meal 🙂 xo

  57. Oh…pork and mango would’ve been nice too heheheh but bravo on the creation of this lentil and mango combo. Sounds amazing! This kind of flavorful dish often don’t need meat, and the Indonesian in me would love to eat this with rice *grin*

  58. Angela says:

    I am so sorry that your shower is still tepid. How disheartening.

  59. Kim says:

    I love pork, but you haven’t hurt my feelings at all with this dish. It looks delicious. Plus, you definitely have it right when you say that mangoes are the best. Love them!

  60. Looks awesome! But no lentils for me…I had some and Danny has been gassy for 2 days straight. No fun!

  61. Oh Good God…where is that damn repair man?! You need hot water!!! In the meantime keep cooking dishes like you do, this one is another beauty and I believe you that the meat was not missed – lots of flavors AND textures!

  62. tigerfish says:

    I definitely like this version without pork. They can take me away too for “rejecting” pork, in exchange for mangoes. Hey, I am too cheap for a ransom, ya? LOL

  63. Julie says:

    Amazing combination…and while I *puffy heart* love pork, I’d certainly be willing to give this meatless version a shot 🙂

  64. This needs no pork! I love a good meatless meal, and this one looks spicy and delicious. 🙂

  65. The mango is a good distraction =) looks fab!

  66. I wasn’t always a mango lover, but that has definitely changed over time. Now I know how wonderfully refreshing it can be in a dish… how it brightens and balances. And this is the perfect example of how it can do that.

  67. Ada says:

    What a gorgeous dish! Champagne mangos have been on sale like crazy lately, and I always end up with too many and never know what to do with them. Thanks for another great recipe:)

  68. Beth says:

    Knowing you, the only reason they’d take you away is so you could recreate this dish for them! Yum!

  69. Nicole, RD says:

    YUM! I flipping love mangoes. And you, my dear, need a plummer!!

  70. And i need a plumber too :-
    ) for different reasons though , the kitchen the machine connections need looking into 🙂

    I totally love mangoes and here the season has begun too.
    I went to the local market this morn and picked some raw local mangoes and lunch was with oysters curry with mango , Spinach lentils with mango n coconut chutney with mango , all raw green mango and it was really really good u know:-)
    all the goan way with goan spices 🙂

    So i can imagine how good this is truly 🙂
    Specially since im naturally veg with a little sprinkling of seafood , i would so love this , and u come up with deliciousness that always call my name 🙂
    and yeah i m not around muc (sorry) coz we are moving and with all the work , half moved in and kinda makes things difficult coz i need to go to the prev place to cook :-)+ guests over ….

  71. A terrific combination, absolutely love mango, and the flavors must be fantastic with all the spices here!

  72. Peggy says:

    Who needs the pork when you have all that protein packed into the lentils?!

    This sounds like a stellar plate of food!

  73. Tammy says:

    I love all of those bright, beautiful colors! Mangos are my favorite- but mangos with lentils sounds super wonderful!

    xx,
    Tammy

  74. Angel7 says:

    There is no POM in this dish. Just kidding. I figured that you would use it in every dish being that you have a plethora of it 🙂

    The Lentil Mango Picadillo looks colorful and yummy!

    http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/

  75. That is what I need these days! Lovely salad!

  76. Shannon says:

    very interesting! i bought 4 of those mangoes last week… and ate them one at a time until they were gone 🙂 i should really try and use it for something other than sheer pleasure!

  77. It looks so good! And I’m not a huge fan of mangos, so…take that as a HUGE compliment!

    ?
    Camila F.

  78. Cara says:

    I love it, Joanne! I mean, I love picadillo and I’ve never even had it because of that whole pork thing. But I know I love your version already 🙂

  79. sra says:

    I’ve had a mango and chickpea salad based on an Ottolenghi recipe – really good for the summer.

  80. I am such a huge mango fan, and there is not an ingredient in here that I do not absolutely love. I have to try this!

  81. I can see a glimpse of a southern climate in this dish Joanne. It is taking me away:D

  82. Gloria says:

    Love mangoes, your plate look fantastic, gloria

  83. Karen says:

    Oh Yum! I wonder if I could fool the meat-eating hubby with this one??

  84. Now that’s a delightful combination of flavors! I do love lentils in just about any recipe and the mango is such a nice twist here.

    Hope you get a hot shower soon!

  85. Catherine says:

    Dear Joanne ~ Just think how many calories are being burnt trying to keep yourself warm! Also, you probably have the shiniest hair in town and remember cold water closes the pores! Well, I just love lentils and this recipe sounds like I would definitely enjoy it. Blessings, Catherine xo

  86. RamblingTart says:

    You are such a clever lady putting MANGOES in this, Joanne! You just made my tastebuds leap for joy. 🙂 They truly are the best fruit in the world. 🙂

  87. Sonia says:

    The lentils with mango are looking so tempting Joanne ! Its too perfect to savor any time of the day, simply ;loved ur presentation.

  88. girlichef says:

    Gorgeous! I have a couple mangoes that I’ve been trying to purpose…and I just have too many options, I think. While I would love to eat a big bowlful of your meatless picadillo, I’m far too lazy to make it…so I’ll just dream 😉

  89. Julie says:

    well i don’t even know what a picadillo is haha but girl i’ve got to say you work damn hard for your mealz. lovin it

  90. Reeni says:

    You are trying very hard to convince me to like lentils aren’t you?! I would dig right into this in two seconds flat. Creative and sooooooo delicious looking!

  91. Katie Mar says:

    this looks heeavenly!
    even without the pork. i’ll take your word that it tastes as good as it looks… since you aren’t feverish! 🙂

  92. Miriam says:

    I LOVE that you took the pork out :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

  93. Dana says:

    Gorgeous shots Joanne! I love this idea. Lentils cannot go wrong in my book. I hear you on the shower. I need to to scald just a little bit, especially after a run or being out in our current freezing weather.

  94. Allie says:

    Oh my. I just don’t know what to say, it looks so stunning! Thanks for participating in PPN this week!

  95. pajamachef says:

    i don’t even know what to say… this is going on the menu next wk!

  96. The flavor of this dish must taste as vibrant as it looks! Another healthy wholesome dish!

  97. Such a big fan! I’m a vegetarian, and lentils are so often a flavorful and filling substitute. I like the combo of spices, I’ll have to give it a try.

    Dropping in from PPN 🙂
    -Krista
    http://www.thebeetreporter.blog.com

  98. You are too funny…sorry about your shower, yikes. This looks absolutely wonderful!

  99. grace says:

    this dish is SO pretty, joanne! just thinking about all the flavors and textures is downright exhilarating. really excellent work.

  100. I have an extra room if they take you away to Hawaii–we are tropical enough. 😉 This looks fabulous–I love the combination of ingredients you have here. Lentils + mango = perfect.

  101. Chris says:

    You know I’m not talking to you about this. Taking pork out of this, who ever heard of such a thing! (ha ha)

  102. Veronica says:

    If you don’t win BSI with this, it will be a crime. This is the ONLY thing I clicked from the links that have been submitted b/c I’m such a mango snob I really am not interested in doing much with them besides eating them straight. But this, I would totally make. BTW, I followed you for a while but lost track b/c I was unable to subscribe by email. I’m so glad to see you have that option now! I’ve been seeing a lot of people I follow make your recipes and it made me miss you. No more.

  103. Claudia says:

    Not being familiar with the “classic”, your creation sounds quite good. I have been gazing at the mangoes on our tree, waiting impatiently for them to ripen up.

  104. Haha I’ve never had the classic so I won’t know the difference and in fact I wouldn’t be able to eat it if you hadn’t taken the pork out. So thank you! this looks fantastic!

  105. Marisa says:

    I can definitely get down with mango!

  106. Melissa says:

    This looks so yummy! Sending recipe to myself to make at home soon!

  107. Kevin says:

    I really like the sound of a vegetarian picadillo with mango!

  108. You are amazing. One of the best lentil dishes I have seen in a long time!

  109. I’ve never heard of a picadillo, but yours looks and sounds amazing!!!! Who needs meat when you’ve got mangoes??!! 🙂 I just bookmarked your recipe; I definitely want to try this!! 🙂

  110. Danielle says:

    I just posted this in my “Your Recipe – My Kitchen” post for this Friday! Thanks for the inspiration.

    Danielle

  111. Yaey I love that you took the meat out! That makes it easier for me. 🙂 I’ve never tried picadillo before.

  112. Erndog says:

    Made this tonight with French green lentils and added some cayenne and Spanish green olives…delicious!!!

  113. I am SO incredibly happy that you loved it, and that it satisfied the meat-loving husband! Maybe that means it has a chance with my parents.

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