It was mango season and Minoo made a dessert with mango in the Gilmore Park Community Kitchen. We are very lucky to have abundance of fresh fruit in Vancouver. When a fruit is in season, the price is so affordable. So, enjoy them while they are the cheapest and when they are the freshest.

This Mango with Chocolate Meringue has a base of succulent mango slices infused with orange zest and is topped with an airy topping of chocolaty meringue and nuts. Since the meringue is made of just egg whites, this dessert is good for people who is watching their cholesterol.

Ingredients

• 2 medium-sized ripe mangoes
• Finely grated zest of 1 orange
• Whites of 3 large eggs
• a pinch of salt
• 125g or 1/2 cup caster sugar (superfine granulated)
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 15g or 1 tablespoon chopped hazelnuts

Mango is considered as a superfruit for its phytochemicals nutrients. It is rich in prebiotic dietary fiber, vitamin C, polyphenols and carotenoids. Mango also contains essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, B, B6, E and potassium, copper, 17 amino acids.

The pulp of mango is also a rich source of pectins and is great for making pudding.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 300F.

Finely grate the zest from one orange, make sure you do not get into the bitter white pith.

Place the hazelnuts in a ziplock bag and pound it with a heavy object to crush the nuts into fine pieces.

Place the egg whites in a clean bowl and add a pinch of salt. Whisk until they form soft peaks. You may use a hand held electric beater. Add in the sugar. Whisk until the meringue is stiff and glossy.

Shift the cocoa powder onto the meringue to remove any lumps.

Fold the cocoa powder into the meringue.

Peel mangoes and cut the flesh into cubes. Mix in the orange zest. Place the mangoes in a baking dish or divide between six ovenproof individual ramekins.

Top the mango with the chocolate meringue. Try to level the meringue evenly with a spatula.

Sprinkle the finely chopped hazelnuts over the meringue. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the meringue is crisp on the outside.

Serve at once. Minoo, thank you for sharing this delicious dessert.