meenakshi

Its summer!! And if you are the kind that goes mushy at the thought of mango season, with nostalgic memories of eating a Neelam with juice dripping down your chin or gulping thick Alphonso milkshakes on hot afternoons, here are three of my favourite mango recipes.

Mango Mimosa (makes 5 glasses)

1 ripe mango

1 bottle of chilled champagne

Peel the mango and separate the pulp. Add about ¼ cup of water to the pulp and puree in a food processor. Strain the puree. Pour the chilled champagne into a large pitcher/jug. Gently add the strained puree and mix it in without beating. Serve immediately in champagne glasses.

Emilia’s Mangalorean Mango Curry (Serves 2-3)

3 Mangoes – either half-ripe or sweet and sour in taste

Salt to taste

For masala

1 dry red chilli

1 tsp jeera seeds

1 tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp coriander powder

A small piece of tamarind

½ cup scraped coconut

For seasoning

8-10 curry leaves

1 tsp mustard

1 tbsp oil

Wash and peel the mangoes and separate the pulp. Boil the pulp in 1 cup of water for about 20 minutes. Roast the red chilli, jeera seeds, turmeric powder and coriander powder slightly. Grind the roasted spices with the tamarind and coconut. Add the ground masala to the cooked mango. If required, add more water till the mixture is of the required consistency – neither too thick nor too thin. Boil again for 10-15 minutes. Add salt to taste Season with oil, mustard and curry leaves. Serve hot with plain rice.

Mango Salad (Serves 2)

2 Mangoes – ripe but firm

1 red capsicum – sliced long

½ red onion – finely chopped

¼ cup chopped coriander

For dressing

2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil

Juice of ½ a lime

¼ tsp pepper

1 garlic pod crushed

Salt to taste

Peel the mangoes and chop them into cubes. Place them in a bowl along with the red capsicum, onion and coriander. In a cup, mix the olive oil, lime juice, pepper, crushed garlic and salt. Whisk and pour into the bowl. Stir to coat and refrigerate for half an hour before serving.

Tip: Fish-eaters can add grilled prawns to this salad.

Happy Eating!