It’s the mango season and while we all love mango in its natural form the best, it’s hard to ignore that some amazing dishes are made using mangoes and some have their flavours elevated with the addition of mangoes.
With the beautiful orange-gold colour, the creamy texture and a pulp full of juice that oozes out in every bite, mangoes are hard to resist. It’s called the ‘King’ of all fruits for a reason.
Mango pickles, cakes, desserts, chutneys, aam Panna and even some cocktails are now a common way to use mangoes and we have willingly accepted these dishes and flavours. But there are some unique pairings with mangoes that one won’t usually think about and we did and sharing it with you all as well to give it a try.
Sesame Seeds & Mango
Ever wondered why the popular Thai dessert Khao Niao Mamuang pairs sticky coconut rice pudding with fresh mango slices and is topped with a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds?
Due to the presence of terpenes in sesame, it has a strong pine-like flavour profile that pairs well with the mangoes. Mangos may not be the first thing that spring to mind when you think of pine forests, but they, too, have this compound, which makes them a great match. Try tasting the piney notes on your next mango.
Ham & Mango
Oh, you have to try this one to believe, that this sweet and salty combination is simply out of this world. When two flavours juxtapose, it can taste a little boring and one-dimensional, but at the end of each bite, you get to taste the salty, meaty flavour of cured meat, which adds a little contrast and elevates your entire experience. Simply just put the two together on a plate and give them a try or make an easy salad using both.
Cumin & Mango
You may have noticed the use of cumin when making mango chutneys, but did you know it’s one of the key ingredients that enhances the flavour so much? To try, all you need to do is sprinkle a little cumin onto a mango slice and voila, it’s all there. The tropical sweetness of mango gets amazingly balanced with the smoky flavours of cumin and that tinge is unmatched.
Cucumber & Mango
There can’t be a better summer combination than that of mangoes and cucumbers. A quick salsa with mango and cucumber can really complement your grilled meats and BBQs well. The cool and slightly bitter tasting property of cucumber gets perfectly matched with the sweetness of mangoes and together they create a riot of flavours.
Cardamom & Mango
Another from the spice land, these two together just lit up so well. The gingery nutmug-base notes of cardamom add so much to the floral and sweet notes of mangoes. It is one of the weirdest combinations you may have heard of, but it works.
So, which of these combinations are you trying first?
