Mango

Mangoes are a versatile and flavorful fruit used in a wide range of dishes, from sweet to savory, across various cuisines around the world. Their unique taste, which can range from tart and tangy to sweet and creamy depending on the variety and ripeness, makes them a popular ingredient in cooking and baking. Here are some common ways mangoes are used in cooking:

Fresh Salads: Ripe mangoes add sweetness and color to salads. They can be mixed with greens, other fruits, or used in a fruit salad. Unripe, green mangoes are often used in Southeast Asian salads for their tartness.

Salsas and Chutneys: Mango salsas, made with diced mangoes, onions, cilantro, and chili peppers, are a popular accompaniment to grilled meats and seafood. Mango chutney, a type of condiment made with mangoes, vinegar, sugar, and spices, is commonly used in Indian cuisine.

Smoothies and Juices: Mangoes are a popular ingredient in smoothies and juices, appreciated for their sweetness and smooth texture. They can be blended with other fruits, milk, yogurt, or ice to make refreshing drinks.

Desserts: Mangoes are widely used in desserts, including cakes, pies, mousses, ice creams, and sorbets. Mango puree can be used as a flavoring or topping for various sweet dishes.

Sauces and Marinades: Pureed mangoes can be used to make sweet and tangy sauces or marinades for meats and seafood, lending a tropical flavor to dishes.

Curries and Stews: In South Asian and Southeast Asian cuisines, mangoes are sometimes added to curries and stews, contributing sweetness and depth to the flavor profile.

Rice Dishes: Mangoes are often served with rice dishes, such as the famous Thai dessert, mango sticky rice, where ripe mangoes are served alongside sweet coconut milk-infused sticky rice.

Puddings and Custards: Mango pudding and custard are popular desserts in Asian cuisine, known for their creamy texture and mango flavor.

Baking: Diced mangoes or mango puree can be incorporated into muffins, breads, and pancakes, adding moisture and flavor.

Pickles and Preserves: In Indian cuisine, unripe mangoes are often used to make pickles (achar), which are preserved with oil, salt, and spices.

When using mangoes in cooking, it's important to choose the right type and ripeness level for the dish. Ripe mangoes are best for sweet dishes and smoothies, while slightly underripe mangoes work well in salads and savory dishes where a bit of tartness is desired. The rich, tropical flavor of mangoes can enhance a wide variety of dishes, making them a favored fruit in culinary applications worldwide.