A Sizzling Summer Visit
I had not visited India during the hot summer months for nearly 3 decades. So, on a whim, I booked my ticket. The purpose of the trip was to meet two newborn infants and to attend a traditional wedding! I mentally braced myself for the intense heat and humidity…but, a pleasant surprise awaited me.
The bride
Sometimes, we psych ourselves up even before we have actually faced the situation. This was such an instance. I thought I’d choke in the heat. I had convinced myself I’d get into a crappy mood with the humidity. Did I? Nope! Instead, the joy of seeing family and childhood friends, walking around old haunts and eating at local restaurants bustling with long-time patrons, is more than enough to put one in the right mood.
What’s the BEST Part of Summers in India?
No two ways about it. The answer: Mangoes. The varieties are mind-boggling: kesar, rasaalu, banganapalli, badam, mulgova, tothapuri. And the reigning King of the Mango World: Alphonsos, affectionately called by Mumbaikars as Apu. After having tasted several varieties, I’d concede that the Alphonso is one of the best varieties of mango found in India. I’d rate it top of the chain, in terms of sweetness and flavor.
It is also one of the most expensive varieties of mango in India. Come summer, people lap up this variety and one hardly gets to spot them outside of its home country….alas! A few of my friends have other preferences on the variety they love. I’d say, there are no bad mango varieties!!
Alphonso Mangoes
After having gorged on Apus in Bombay, I still had not got enough of them. So, my sister-in-law packed up 2 dozen of these yummies for me to carry back to Bangalore. She made one phone call to a “wholesaler” somewhere in a Bombay suburb and that was all it took. Less than 3 hours later, a neatly packaged box was delivered home with exactly the type of ripeness that my sister-in-law specified to him. Some on the verge of being consumed, and a few others that would ripen over the next few days. The mangoes came lined with straw and hay. The hay not only keep the mangoes from getting bruised, but also help them ripen gradually.
What has been the best part of your travel back to your home country?
Mango Rasayana
Inspired by the mango rasayana that my sisters-in-laws served me with bari akki dose (rice dosa, a dish unique to Karnataka), I made my version of the mango rasayana at my parents’. As usual, I prefer easy-to-make simple ingredient desserts without or very little sugar. This Mango Rasayana does just that.
Alphonsos are hard to spot in the United States. However, we can certainly make this ultra-simple dessert with the local varieties available here. Costco sells very sweet organic mangoes and they would serve perfectly well for this snack-cum-side-cum-dessert.
You can have Mango Rasayana as a side, with several of these recipes:
- Wholesome Methi (Fenugreek) Paratha
- No Ferment Cabbage-Onion Dosa
- Multigrain Dosa
- Wholesome, Spicy Sprouts Dosa
Mango Trivia
Is mango a fruit? No, it is not. Mango is a member of the drupe family. This is a type of plant food with an outer fleshy part surrounding a shell (what we sometimes call a pit) that contains a seed. Olives, dates, and coconuts are also types of drupes.
Featured picture shows me eating mango rasayana with ragi (millet) rotti (crepe) along with Chutney Powder with a dollop of homemade ghee.
Let’s celebrate summer with this wonderful no-sugar-added tropical delight! If mangoes are your thing, check out this delicious Jicama-Mango Salad. If you prefer raw mango, try out Raw Mango Dal or Raw Mango Fenugreek Salsa.
Dessert Recipes
Looking for other healthy desserts? Look no further…
- Chia Seed Pudding
- Hesarubele Payasa (Split Mung Kheer)
- Date-Almond Boats
- Gasagase Payasa (Poppy Seed Kheer)
- Sweet Pongal (Huggi)
- Creamy Instant Pot Carrot (Gajar) Halwa
- Akki-Haalu Payasa (Rice Kheer)
- Vegan Walnut-Goji Berry Fudge
The antioxidant zeaxanthin, found in mangoes, filters out harmful blue light rays and is thought to play a protective role in eye health and possibly ward off damage from macular degeneration. The risk of developing asthma is lower in people who consume a high amount of nutrients like beta-carotene, found in mangoes. Diets rich in beta-carotene may also play a protective role against prostate cancer. Mangoes, because of their fiber and water content, help to prevent constipation and promote regularity and a healthy digestive tract.
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Mango Rasayana
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Ripe Mango - Use 2 large mangoes
- 4 Tablespoons Milk - Use coconut milk if lactose intolerent
- 1/4 Teaspoon Cardamom - Powdered
- 1/4 Teaspoon Saffron - Strands
- 1 Teaspoon Jaggery - Grated. This is optional if your mangoes aren't sweet enough
Instructions
- Peel mangoes and roughly chop into pieces. Discard the pits.
- Add mango slices into blender, add milk (dairy or coconut milk), cardamon powder and jaggery (if needed) and quickly pulse until the mango is mush but not completely pureed. Leave small chunks of mango in the mix.
- Empty into dish, add saffron strands, mix well and chill. Chilling is optional. I can't wait - I have to eat it right away! Serve by itself as dessert or with dosa, or paratha.
