Mexican Mango

Nyah: Mommy, is this mango from Grandma and Grandpa's yard?

Me: No sweetie, I wish. That sour mango is from Mexico.

Nyah: Oh.

But she still ate it, still loved it. 


And I guarentee you George is most definitely shaking his head as he reads this post from somewhere in Louisiana. He is shaking his head because I did it. Because I bought a mango, actually bought, with our hard earned money something he has had in abundance and at his finger tips his whole life. But I had to do it honey. Had to buy her a mango because, Indiana, St. Croix or Mexico, they are still her favorite fruit and they still have the ability to put a smile this big on her face. How could I resist?


Oh, and thanks Mexico. Nice try. 

Mango Madness

Oh no, not another mango post! Well, what can I say, we have been eating a lot of mangoes around here.  Can you believe I just learned how to cut the thing properly? Seriously, how did it take me so many years of island living to learn this important skill?  


Actually, I am not too surprised it took me so long to learn the cutting technique considering that prior to moving to St. Croix, I don't think I had ever eaten or maybe even seen a mango in the raw? Embarrassing, I know. I remember trying my first taste of the magical fruit here and not totally knowing if I should eat the skin or not, just kinda hung back and watched others before I dove in. 


Today I will share with you my newly acquired knowledge of how to cut a mango, for snacking. When cooking with mango, I cut it a completely different way. We do it two ways around here, the civilized (clean) way and then the other way, which is really messy, depending on the ripeness of the fruit.


So here is the first way we cut the mango, the way we do it at home when a knife is handy. I thought I knew how to do this and then yesterday I realized I was constantly cutting into the tough seed in the middle of the fruit. My knowledgeable island boy husband then revealed to me the key fact that I must cut along the long end of the oval of the mango, like so. Of course, wait to cut  the mango until its ripe or feels soft to touch, about the softness of a ripe avocado.

Repeat on the other side.

Then pick up the slices and scoop the delicious fruit out with your teeth, using the skin as a bowl and a way to keep fingers clean, but don't eat the skin.

Finally, peel the center and eat all the goodness left around the seed you wish.


The next way we eat mangos is how we do it when out in nature with no knife in sight. Simply start at the top and pull the peel down all around leaving the skin intact at the bottom of the fruit so there is a place to hold the fruit without getting your hands covered in mango juice.

Then devour. 

Be careful, your face might look like this after eating a mango this way (smile included). Trust me, its inevitable.

I am sure this is probably old news but to most of you but for some, hopefully, the lightbulb just went off as it did for me yesterday. 


Hope this helps so next time you are in the islands you will look like a professional and not embarrass yourself as I did by trying to eat the mango peel. And please don't think I am stingy, I would mail you all mangoes but the USDA doesn't think it's a good idea and if they got smashed en route, it might result in a huge mess by the time it arrives which really wouldn't be fun for anyone.


Sending mango love to everyone. 

Jackpot

We made a visit to the in laws house today and what can I say, we hit the mango jack pot. Their yard is plentiful in the food department to say the least where we pick stuff like this and this. 


If you can't tell by the numerous posts I've written about mangoes, I am pretty enthusiastic about these flavor packed fruits. I absolutely love them, not only for the joy they bring my little girl but because they are wonderfully tasty. Mother nature truly out did herself in the mango department. Sweet and juicy, like heaven for my taste buds. 


Being that I am not from the islands, like my husband, I am always in awe of these little treasures each season they bless us with their presence. I think George had his share of mangoes when he was young and had this perfect treat at his fingertips. Imagine, playing outside and rompin' with friends all day and then stopping in the backyard for a mango break. These island kids, spoiled I tell ya.  

Nyah eats a mango and then immediately asks for another. We are not sure how many mangoes one human girl can safely consume in a single sitting but we will soon find out. Her grandmother tells us, "Nyah a strong island woman, leave her alone and let her eat her mangoes." She hasn't got sick yet. This girl has nothing but love for her mangoes. I have actually never seen her adore a food more.


Mango salsa, mangoes from breakfast, mango smoothie, I even tried mango bread last year, its all wonderful. It's all wonderful. I am sure we will do it all again this season and the next and the next so stay tuned for many more mango posts, (or at least as long as we continue living the island dream). Oh yeah, and this reminds me, I want to try mango popsicles. Stay tuned.

Mango Bliss

First mango of the season. Devoured. All is good in her little world again.

Nyah's Favorite Popscicles

I have to share on of Nyah's favorite treats which she is so enthusiastic about. So simple, so easy. So, why didn't I think of this on my own? Trying to shape my mind to think more creative in the baker/chef category but its comes as a challenge for me. 


This particular recipe is by Jessica Seinfeld from her cookbook Deceptively Delicious, a book I don't actually own but the pages my friend photo copies for me when she discovers a tasty recipe. 


I am not sure what Nyah enjoys more, making or eating these Frozen Yogurt Pops (which she calls popsicles but I am convinced thinks is ice cream at the rate she devours them).


Start by pouring 2 cups plain low fat yogurt or vanilla yogurt and 2 cups of frozen berries (let them thaw a little prior for easy blending) into food processor. 

I am sure a wonderful organic frozen berry would be great here but we use what we can get on this island and just remain thankful the store had a shipment of frozen berries on that particular grocery day. We will probably replace the berries with mangoes during mango season. I will let you now how that goes.

Next, add 1/2 to 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar. We leave the sugar out most of the time depending on how many tart berries are. 

Next pulse until smooth. This is Nyah's favorite step, obviously. 

Pour mixture into molds or whatever you have. We used to use small tupperware containers with toothpicks or ice cube trays before we found these fancy, legit popscicle molds at the over priced hardware store.

Add popsicle sticks.

Place creation in freeze and be patient and if you are like Nyah ask ever half hour on the hour if the popsicles are ready yet.


If there is any left over, enjoy in a cup as a smoothie or as Nyah calls it, "a moovie" no matter how many times I correct her. Cheers (from Nyah).

Please ignore the mess.  Elsa had just completed her daily pull all the toys of the shelf duty while Nyah and I were making "moovies".