In Season Recipes: Mango Snacks

Here are some quick mango snacks to refresh you this summer.

Mango Lassi

I love yogurt.  So, of course, I love a  lassi, the Indian yogurt-based drink.  This cold beverage has the texture of a smoothie, so it’s a filling snack when you’re feeling peckish around midday.

I used a recipe for mango lassi by Emeril Lagasse, of all folks, to make this drink.

I ran out of honey in the middle of preparing the lassi, so I filled out the rest of the two teaspoons in the recipe with light agave nectar.  That worked well, since agave is sweet and subtle.

I got the rose water at Fresh Market in Aventura a while back, although it may be available at some Indian markets as well.  If used sparingly, rose water rounds out the flavor of the lassi without overpowering you with a floral taste.

You can also see a recipe for how to make a starfruit lassi here.

Mangos with Cayenne and Lime

Those of you who have traveled to Guatemala, Mexico or even Los Angeles have probably been tempted by this snack on street vendors’ carts.

This is a simple snack perfect for when you need something cool to revive you.  Simply cut a (preferably chilled) mango into thick strips.  Sprinkle with a dusting of cayenne pepper, to your taste.  The cayenne lends a hint of heat. Then squeeze a lime wedge over the mango.  The cayenne and lime heighten the tanginess of even the dullest mango.