Dear Readers,
One of the very few redeeming aspects about the sweltering summers is the marvellous mango that comes with it!
It’s easy to lose those sweaty summer struggles in the magnificent mango magic, as it transports us to paradise via our taste-buds… whether eaten plain or as those irresistible desserts and dishes highlighted in the menus of all restaurants, patisseries and home-kitchens. Be it that luscious Aamras or that revitalizing mango ice-cream or then simply vanilla ice-cream with mango cubes… from the stylish mango panna cotta and mango cheesecake to our desi mango peda and mango barfi, or the oriental Thai mango sticky rice… there’s much to choose from!
And speaking of choice, it’s not just the number of preparations we get overwhelmed with – it’s even the inundating pedigrees!! This King of Fruits comes in multiple avatars to please every discerning palate – there’s Kesari, Baatli, Totapuri, Dasheri, Langada, Malgoba, Chausa, Pairi, etc… But, of course, when it comes to us Bawajis, it is Emperor Alphonso, or ‘Aapri Hapoos’, that marks the prime preference of most… and the only preference of many!
But despite all these amazing mango preparations and pedigrees, a true-blue bawaji would still feel like something’s missing… it’s just not quite the same without having indulged in at least a couple of our very own unique, Parsi mango specials, like ‘Bafenu’ or ‘Ambakalyo’ or ‘Mango Murabbo’, or ‘Kanda, Kairi Ma Ghos’, and not to forget the yum concoctions when the enchanting mango joins hands with our unparalleled Parsi mainstay – the Eedu (the egg) – with dishes like ‘Kacchi Keri no Poro’, ‘Keri-par-eeda’ and ‘Mango Akoori’!
In earlier times, these Parsi mango specials were painstakingly made at home by our mammaijis and bapaijis, with as much love as effort, to surprise us with these amazing mango-delights, bursting with flavour. While there’s no going back in time to replicate that labour of love, it’s heartening to know that there are still some enterprising Parsi home-cooks, who have inherited and done justice to these timeless recipes, whipping up quite a delicious Bawa-Mango-Bonanza, keeping alive our unique Parsi mango dishes, and a priceless tradition!
So, ensure that don’t miss out having your fill of these magical mango delights this summer, in all their Parsi glory!
Have a good weekend!
– Anahita
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