If you follow me on Facbeook  then you are well aware that I am a self proclaimed Mango Maniac. Fresh slices, frozen chunks, dried pieces…you name it- I’m all about it.

I love them, period. & sometimes you do crazy things for love.

Like drive 20 minutes out of your way on a Saturday night to get your favorite dried mango slices from Trader Joe’s. I did just that this past weekend- fully aware that I would finish a great portion of the bag before making it out of the parking lot. [Mental note: buy two]

Unfortunately, as many of us are aware…love can be risky.  Declaring your love can get you in real bind if your supplier runs out. Mangoes, we’re talking about mangoes here. Stay with me.

On a dark and stormy Saturday night [the weather was actually perfectly fine]….The Unthinkable happened. Trader Joe’s was out of their Just Mango Slices.

I scoured the shelves, I panicked, and I annoyingly asked not one but two of their employees about my favorite snack’s whereabouts. [ That first guy probably just didn’t know what he was talking about] Zero, they had zero left.

Sure, my current love was out of stock, but I didn’t let it stop me from trying out something new. Sometimes you just need to spice things up. Literally.

One of the Trader Joe’s employees urged me to try Just Mango Slice’s devilish alter ego: Chile Spiced Mango

I’m easily swayed… sure, why not?

Spicy Mango + Dark Chocolate Trail Mix

This sweet and spicy combination trail mix is everything that I’m looking for in a snack– a little heat, some satisfying crunch, and of course: chocolate.

You will need:

• Roughly 1/2 bag of TJ’s Chile Spiced Mango Slices, chopped [ I am measuring this based on how much of the bag that I ate on the way home] 
• 1/4 cup golden raisins, chopped
• 1 cup raw, unsalted cashews
• 1/2 cup dates, chopped
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate, chopped

Combine ingredients in a large bowl. Feel free to adjust ingredient ratios– sometimes a cup of dark chocolate is required, I understand.

Excite your taste buds with this chocolate- chile combination that they never saw coming. You’ll adore it, I promise. Be brave and take the risk. Love is crazy like that.

What’s your favorite ingredient/ snack/ must have that you go out of your way to obtain? Tell me in the comment section below — I’ll send a random commenter a Trader Joe’s gift card so you can try my favorite Mango obsessions.