Happiness is a sweet, juicy mango

Didn't blip yesterday because I was running around like a headless chicken at work all day. We're doing a new special publication this month so I had to go and sign-off on all the pages that were being printed downstairs in the printing press. I really wanted to get a picture of the press at work but it just didn't happen. After work I spent 30 minutes in a queue at the cinema trying to get tickets for Star Trek - got them, yayyy, going tomorrow :)

It's June so it is mango season here in Pakistan and it will be until the end of August. Have you ever had a Pakistani mango? It is an unparalleled experience. The ones pictured here are of the Chaunsa variety, they are extremely sweet and very good if you just peel and eat them as they are. There is another variety called the Sindhri which is ever so slightly tart and it is great for milkshakes.

Sadly I have found that mangoes don't retain nearly enough flavor if you bake them. Therefore the best way to make a mango cake is the way my mum does it: you bake a basic sponge, cut it in half and then fill it with whipped cream and fresh mangoes. She also decorates the top with mango puree... that cake is beyond good!

Another great way to consume mangoes is by way of mango ice-cream. There is an ice-cream shop (Baloch Ices) about 10 minutes away from my house, it is a really basic, no-nonsense place with homemade ice cream and they do a divine mango ice cream. On a weekend, once all the shops in the area have closed, the owners of Baloch set out benches and tables on the street and all the people from the area go out and have a cup. They also do a spectacular pistachio ice cream. I have been to eat ice cream there as late as 2:00 am and the place is totally hopping!

Anyhooo... I am loving mango season and currently eating mangoes for dessert every night. They are pretty high on calories but they are truly, truly wonderful. As an Australian expat friend of mine says... happiness is a mango.