Page 36 - desi pages July 2022

goodreads MANGO MAGIC & MEMOIRS
MADHURI’S MUSINGS

Right from its raw state, the green mango is
used to make tangy aam panna - a flavorful
concoction of raw mango, sugar and spices.
Iced panna packs a punch with its sweet, spicy
sourness and refreshing coolness. Speaking
of raw mango again, visits to beaches were
times to savor slices of raw mango with salt
and chilli powder; a spicy slice of heaven right
on earth. Mango memoirs also take me back
in time to street-side Bombay bhelpuri spiced
with raw mango for a tangy twist.
The most beloved Indian fruit is without doubt Mango is a versatile primary ingredient that
the Mango! Indian summers are synonymous can find its way into your daily menu many times
with mangoes, of being drenched in their over. Not only drinks, desserts and pickles,
golden deliciousness and juicy goodness. but also your main course can be centered
It’s hard to find an Indian not touched by the around mangoes. Mango Dhal (lentils spiced
magic of mangoes right from early childhood. with mango) is both nutritious and tasty. A

As I take a trip down memory lane, I recall the product of Andhra cuisine, Mamidikaya Pappu
backyard of my childhood home being laced with steamed
with coconut and mango trees. I have lovely rice can give
memories of not only enjoying the shade and you a mango fix
wooded greenery of the trees, but also the even over lunch.
fruits that came forth. How special it was to Another favorite
have a morning smoothie or an afternoon is Mango Rice.
refreshing mango lassi from your backyard This delectable
tree! Happiness is home-made and home- dish is a must try if
grown! you haven’t had a

Even after we demolished the home and built taste of it before.
apartments, we were thankful to have retained Mango tempered
some of the mango trees. The terraces and with spices, curry
verandahs give convenient access to pluck leaves, mustard
these fruits directly for a quick bite. Not to seeds and a
forget aunts who until today convert the little coconut is
mangoes into lip-smacking tangy pickles blended with rice for a healthy and yummy
using culinary recipes from generations ago. twist.
This summer visit to India, I enjoyed my dad’s The perfect way to end meals is with Mutka
mango-in-a cup fresh juice which kickstarted Mango Kulfi- this classic creamy mango
the day. Hot afternoons were balanced with delight topped with almonds and pistachios
cooling curd rice with spicy homemade is the best frozen indulgence. If you are short
mango pickles, a delightful combination.

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