Think summer and it is not surprsing to think of ice cream, coolers and of course mangoes. Also called the king of fruits, mangoes are abundantly available in India and are highly sought after by adults and kids alike. From pickles, chutneys and curries to flavoured rice, refreshing drinks and desserts, mangoes are unbiquitous in Indian households during summers.
With hundreds of indigenous varieties, the choice is truly mindblogging for mango lovers. Apart from the celebration of the fruit in the Indian kitchen, restaurants join the party too with special mango themed menus that are specially curated for this season.
One of the most popular dishes that is synonymous with the summer season is Aam ras puri which is essentially deep fried whole wheat flat bread relished with silky smooth mango pulp that is flavoured subtly with saffron, cardamom etc. A speciality of the western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, aam ras puri is a must have during the mango season. Below is the recipe:
Recipe Courtesy: Chef Soundar Natarajan, Executive Sous Chef, Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield
Hotel and Convention Center
Prep and Cook time 1 hr 30 mins; Servings: 2
Ingredients
- Alphonso or Kesar Mangoes 2-3 units
- Cardamom Powder ½ tsp
- Saffron Strands 1 pinch
- Raw sugar or Jaggery 2-3 tsp
- Dry Ginger Powder ½ tsp
- Water or Milk ½ litre
Method:
- Rinse the alphonso mangoes thoroughly in clean water and dry thoroughly.
- Peel and chop the mangoes.
- Add the chopped mangoes to a blender. If sour, add sugar or any sweetener.
- Blend to a smooth pulp, pour to a container and mix with cardamom powder and saffron.
- Mix well till it is smooth. If you want the consistency to be slightly thin, add some milk (dairy or vegan) or water.
- Pour in a container and refrigerate for half an hour. Serve cool or at room temperatures with piping hot puris.
- Feel free to add dry fruits like pistachios, cashew nuts or finely chopped almonds to the aam ras.