If you can’t get hold of Cupid’s arrow to inspire romantic attention from that special person you plan on making your Valentine, this February 14th, perhaps a skewer adorned with mango will do the trick…
How can that sweet mango perfume, blushing skin, and delectably juicy flesh not seduce even the toughest of temperaments? And if the pure indulgence of simply eating a mango does not enliven your current crush, surely the charming stories surrounding the mango will convince them.
In India, the mango tree is highly revered and regarded as a symbol of love, with some people even believing that the mango tree can grant wishes. The mango is also renowned all over the world as the ‘king of fruits’ and was hugely popular centuries ago among princes of the east and believed to be the food of the gods.
If charming folklore doesn’t do the trick, then the scientific facts should convince your Valentine that their heart is of utmost importance to you. Not only is this yummy fruit high in vitamins A, C, biotin, and the mineral potassium but it is naturally free from fat, sodium, and cholesterol – clearly making mangoes a good choice for a healthy heart and body.
Need we say more, this fruit has all the qualities to set the scene for the perfect romantic evening…
Lucky for you South African mangoes are in season right now, so we strongly recommend you pop down to your local supermarket, buy all the ingredients for our Sticky Mango and Chilli Chicken Skewers with Fresh Mango Salsa, and cook your way to a Mmmmm…mango Valentine dinner!
Sticky mango and chilli chicken skewers with fresh mango salsa
Serves 4
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 or 800 g deboned and skinned chicken thighs, cubed
For the marinade
- 1 mango, chopped
- 4 tablespoons runny honey
- Pinch of chilli flakes
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tablespoon ginger, finely grated
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ½ cup fresh coriander, chopped
- Pinch of sea salt flakes, or to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the salsa
- 1 mango, chopped
- 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
- 1 red paprika pepper, seeded and chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 green chilli, seeded and finely chopped
- ½ cup fresh mint, snipped
Method
To make the marinade, place all the marinade ingredients into a blender bowl and blend until smooth.
Place the chicken thighs in a mixing bowl and pour the marinade over, toss to combine, cover, and refrigerate for about 2 hours or overnight.
Thread chicken evenly onto 8 previously soaked bamboo skewers and set aside.
Prepare your braai to your liking and braai the skewers turning them often until cooked through. Once cooked, set aside to rest for a few minutes before serving.
For the salsa, combine the mango, spring onion, pepper, lime juice, chili and mint and serve with the skewers.
For mango facts and recipes visit mango.co.za like us on Facebook SAMangoes and follow our Instagram page MangoesSA
