Mango Appetizer with Spicy Tomato is served beautifully on top of goat cheese in an endive leaf. Mango appetizers are an explosion of delicious summer flavor, and these are perfect for a small dinner party, cocktail party or even for a lovely light lunch.
Inspiration for Mango Appetizer with Spicy Tomato
Truth be told it didn’t take much to inspire me to create this recipe. I saw gorgeous mangoes at the market and this idea popped into my mind.
Mango appetizers are an excellent way to begin a meal. They whet the appetite and set the mood for good food.
When we recently had a small dinner party, we started with the Mango Appetizer with Spicy Tomato. It was followed by the most amazing lamb recipe my friend Judy of My Well Seasoned Life shared with me. It’s was so good!
We also had my Grilled Romaine Anchovy Salad.
What’s in Mango Appetizer with Spicy Tomato?
- mango
- Belgian endive
- goat cheese
- serrano pepper
- Spicy Serrano-Tomato Preserves
I had the Spicy Serrano-Tomato Preserves at the ready, so it was actually fairly quick and easy to put together.
The colors alone make this a show stopper.
You will see if you make this — and I do hope you do — that it’s absolutely heavenly.
What does this Mango Appetizer taste like?
It’s sweet, spicy and refreshing — all at once! And those are just the flavors. Let’s talk about the textures . . . it’s soft, crisp and creamy.
When our guests arrived at my dinner party, after spending a while cooking, I finally sat down and put one of these treats in my mouth — it was heavenly!
Can you make it ahead?
You can make a lot of it ahead of time . . .
- The preserves can be made up to a week in advance.
- You can prepare the endive leaves a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated.
- The appetizers can be assembled up to thirty minutes ahead.
I hope you love this sweet and spicy deliciousness as much as I do.

Mango Appetizer with Spicy Tomato
Ingredients
- 1 dozen Belgian endive leaves (from about 1 medium-sized endive)
- 4 tablespoons goat cheese
- ¼ cup Spicy Serrano-Tomato Preserves (click here for the recipe)
- about ½ small mango
- 1 dozen super thin Serrano chile slices (from about 1 small Serrano chile pepper)
Instructions
- Cut the bottom inch or so off of the endive and gently wash the outer leaves with a damp paper towel. Then pull 1 dozen leaves off gently. If when you lay them down, they are super wobbly, use a paring knife to cut a sliver off of the bottom of each one, to create a base.
- Spread 1 teaspoon of the goat cheese onto each leaf, placing them on a serving platter as you work.
- Next add a teaspoon of the preserves, directly on top of the cheese.
- Add a thin slice of mango on top -- you should make the slices to more or less fit over the preserves. Here's How to Cut a Mango.
- Top each one with a Serrano slice.
- Though best if assembled just before you're ready to serve, you can make these up to 30 minutes ahead of time. Keep them refrigerated until you're ready to serve.
Cathy | She Paused 4 Thought says
So sorry to hear about your crazy day!
Your appetizer is a fabulous combination of sweet and spicy goodness.
Very creative!
valentina says
Thank you, Cathy! XO
Christina @ Christina's Cucina says
I absolutely detest those days! So sorry you had such a bad thing happen with your car, especially. I did three things in a row last time I had my run of back luck: I dumped flour all over me and inside the bread machine and floor (not the right part of the bread machine), then butter expoded all over the inside of the microwave, then I made the pasta I was reheating into burnt offerings. Not a good look for a food blogger, right?
I loved these appetizers when you made them for our gathering, Valentina! I can’t wait to make them myself! 🙂
valentina says
Oh my gosh, Christina, yes those days are a bummer. Sound like yours was messier than mine. 😉 xoxo
Liz Schmitt says
I could see making your recipe using some of my homemade mango chutney – love elegant easy apps for summer!
valentina says
Thanks so much, Liz!
David says
These look pretty amazing, Valentina. So sorry about the day, but you are right – we have all had them. Those are the days where I end up with broken glasses, sliced off fingertips, and pie plates that crack while baking that evening’s dessert! I hope you have very few of them… 🙂
valentina says
Awww thanks David. Me too — may more days be good than bad! xo
Malin Andersson says
All the images of this recipe look very nice and attractive. I am thinking to try it for my mother. It will be my first time to try any recipe.
valentina says
That’s so sweet. Thank you! I hope you and your mom enjoy it!