Mangoes, everyone!

By Ed Dychauco Pots & Pans

Mangifera indica. Sounds weird? It shouldn't be because this is a well-liked & well-loved tropical fruit that is enjoyed all over the world. How about mango? This would probably sound more exotic & exciting! Refreshing, sweet, tangy yet savoury! Summer is here and mangoes are on its peak. Go around the market, supermarket, fruit-stands and you're sure to see mangoes of different varieties, sizes & ripeness. Being a tropical country, we are blessed with a climate that is suitable for growing mangoes.

Mangoes are believed to be native of East Indies & Malaya. However, it has been cultivated in India for more than 4,000 years! The name mango is derived from the Tamil word man-kay or man-gay, which is the name the Portuguese adopted as manga when they settled in Western India. It is thought that Portuguese traders took the fruit on its worldwide travels to Africa and across South America where it was probably introduced to Brazil. Philippines is one of the largest producing mango country in the world today.

Mangoes can vary considerably in size, shape, color, flavour & fiber content. Usually large and heavy, mangoes can reach weights of 680 grams or more. When raw, they are green but when ripe, some are yellow-green, some are straw-colored while others are orange, yellow or red. Mangoes are rich in vitamin A and contain significant quantities of vitamin B and C. Mangoes, which are not good enough to serve raw, can be put into purees & sauces while chutneys, pickles & curries are useful destinations for under-ripe or slow-maturing fruit.

In this article, I would like to encourage everyone to try mangoes in their dishes instead of making them into shakes or just plainly eating them as fruits or incorporating them in fruit salads. Here, I have a few recipes using mangoes as main ingredients in your cooking and baking. Enjoy them and be amazed at what you can do with it!

Meanwhile, Summer Culinary Classes are offered throughout the month of April & May at Pots & Pans Home Bake & Coffee Shop, located along Don Apolinar Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City. Please call 72-46-74 or 858-4209 or Email : potsnpans1976@yahoo.com for more information. Special classes can be arranged for a group of 5 or more.

CITRUS & MANGO SALAD 1 lettuce 3 oranges, peeled and cut into segments 3 stalks celery, cut into 1/2" 2 mangoes, sliced 1 cucumber, scored and sliced 6 shallots, finely sliced CREAM DRESSING: 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup cream salt & pepper, to taste 2 tbsp chopped parsely 3 tsp orange juice 3 tsp lemon juice (Calamansi) Wash lettuce & arrange on a platter. Arrange the rest of the ingredients between lettuce leaves. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Mix all dressing and ingredients and serve separately with salad. ***

MANGO RICE WITH CITRUS SALAD 1 1/2 cups cooked rice 1 pc medium-size shallot, chopped 1 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup salted peanuts 1 pc mango, peeled & chopped CITRUS SALAD DRESSING: 1/4 cupfresh orange juice 1 pc lemon (juice) 1 clove garlic, minced Pepper to taste Combine all ingredients & pour dressing on top. Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar & shake well ***

CRUNCHY NUT CHICKEN & MANGO ROLLUPS 6 pc chicken breasts, pounded flat 2 pcs mangoes, peeled & sliced 3 cups flour Salt & pepper to taste 2 pcs eggs, beaten 2 cups breadcrumbs 2 cups crushed nuts 125 gms butter Place slices of mango on chicken breast. Roll up, tucking sieds & secure with toothpicks. Season flour with salt and pepper. Dip each chicken breast with flour, coat with egg, then dip in breadcrumbs & nuts until well covered. Set aside for 2 hours or overnight. Heat butter in a pan over moderate heat. Saute chicken for 6-8 minutes each side until golden brown. **

LUSCIOUS MANGO BREAD 2 cups flour 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 tsp baking soda 2 tsps cinnamon 1/2 tsp salt 3 pcs eggs 1 1/2 cups diced mangoes 1 cup oil 1/2 cup grated fresh coconut 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 tsp vanilla Place all ingredients in a bowl & mix well. Pour into greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes or till done.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/cag/2007/04/19/life/mangoes.everyone!.html