In The Kitchen With Kanta :Mango passion Mocktail & Mango Cake loaf.

With it being Mango season in Zambia, I figured I should inspire you with a few ideas of how to enjoy the juicy fruit.  Most of us don’t need ways to disguise a mango in our food, but it’s always nice to be able to enjoy the same fruit in variety of ways; whilst still getting all of that goodness. Did you know that mangoes are so tasty that more mangoes are eaten fresh, than any other fruit in the world?  But it’s not just their taste that’s great – like most fruits and veggies mangoes come with a variety of health benefits.  So I thought I’d share a few with you; you will be pleasantly surprised, and I’m sure this will make you indulge in mangoes a lot more than ever before.

Mangoes help prevent Cancer – the antioxidant compounds in them protect against colon, breast and prostate cancers; and leukaemia. They Lower Cholesterol because they have high levels of fibre, pectin and vitamin C which help to lower serum cholesterol levels.  They help clear the Skin by unclogging pores and eliminating pimples; and can be used both internally and externally on the skin.  Mangoes improve eye health – one cup (175g) of sliced mango provides 25% of the necessary daily amount of vitamin A, which promotes good eyesight and prevents night blindness and dry eyes.  Mango leaves help in Diabetes by normalising insulin levels in the blood.  The home remedy involves boiling the leaves in water, soaking them through the night and then consuming the filtered product in the morning. The mango fruit also has a relatively low glycaemia index so moderate quantities will not spike sugar levels.   They improve digestion because they contain enzymes that help in the breakdown of proteins; and the fibre in them also helps in digestion and elimination.  Because of their generous amounts of vitamin C and vitamin A, mangoes help boost your immune system and help keep it strong and healthy.  And last but certainly not least mangoes help improve your Sex life; they are a great source of vitamin E, which studies show, helps in the bedroom.  Need I say more?  What are you waiting for go get your mangoes….  So in conclusion people, mangoes are good for you, run and tell your friends and family and enjoy as many mangoes as possible.  Drink them, eat them, and even apply them to your skin…and if you have any mangoes leftover try out one of these recipes:

 

Mango passion Mocktail (Mocktail simply means it is non-alcoholic) and a simple and sweet Mango Cake

Preparation and cooking time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Serves: up to 20 people

Ingredients

For the Mango Cake loaf

• 250g plain flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (optional)
• 2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 250g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 175ml vegetable oil
• 400g of mango, peeled, stones removed and chopped
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons sultanas or raisins (optional)

For the Mango passion Mocktail

• 1 and a ¼ large mangoes, chopped
• 5 ½ tbsp of orange juice
• 250ml apple juice
• 1 or 2 large apples chopped

Method

Preheat the oven to 180 ? C.  Grease 2 loaf tins, and then pour flour into them, making sure every side and corner is covered with flour.

Combine all of the dry ingredients. Using a whisk, or electric mixer, beat the eggs with oil and add them to the flour mixture. Add mangoes, lemon juice and raisins, and mix well, until fully combined.

Pour the mixture equally into the loaf tins; and bake for about 60 minutes.  Pierce a knife through the middle of the cakes; if it comes out clean then they are cooked. Remove them from the oven; allow them to cool in the tins for about 30 minutes.  Then remove the cakes from the tins and sprinkle some sugar over the top or cut some left over mango slices and place them over the top, to decorate.

Combine the mangoes and orange juice in a blender, and blend, until completely smooth.  Gradually add the apple juice, and blend once more.  Add ice blocks and the chopped apples, and place in the fridge ready to serve.

Serving

You can enjoy the cake loaf and the Mocktail together.  But I personally love to eat thick slices of the cake with a cool glass of milk.

Your mocktail is perfect for the hot weather, so sit back soak up the sun and relax, with your mocktail in one hand and a gossip mag in the other.

 

 

Kanta Temba is a cake maker and decorator. She is also the owner and founder of Kanta Kakes – cake shop.

You can find her work on www.kantakakes.com.  Follow her on twitter @KantaKakes and Instagram @KantaTemba.