Good news about dark chocolate Easter eggs

Have you heard the good news about dark chocolate?  

Summarised from Ease Easter Guilt": go for dark chocolate - Nicola Conville, Sunday Telegraph 24/3/13
Easter promises calorific overindulgence but according to studies by researchers from Monash University, the choice of dark chocolate offers significant health benefits, including improvement of blood flow and a "feel good" factor.
It's a healthier option, especially since with a 70 per cent cocoa component, dark chocolate generally contains less added sugar and fat than milk chocolate,  with other studies stressing it be part of a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise. 

Sounds like great news to me!

Happy Easter to you all.
Clara  - lover of dark chocolate


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Mango magic




Mango magic

This dish was served to us by Alvina and Umberto www.timeintuscany.com , not in Tuscany but here in Sydney when mangoes were at their best.  In true Tuscan style, fruits and vegetables in season are used in an amazing variety of simply delicious dishes.
 

For the mango jelly
makes 4 servings

2 ripe mangoes - peeled and cut (see
¼ cup caster sugar
Juice of 1 lime
1 cup water
1 tbsp gelatine powder
2 tbsp hot water
macadamia pralines - crushed

Place mango, sugar, lime juice and water into the jug of a blender and blend until smooth.
Strain the mango mixture through a sieve into a saucepan. Place it over medium heat and cook, stirring, until it’s heated through and the sugar is melted.
Place the gelatine powder into a small bowl, add the hot water and whisk well until the gelatine dissolves.
Add the gelatine mixture to the mango mixture and stir to combine. Divide the mixture into individual wetted moulds,  cover and place into the fridge for 3-4 hours until set.

To serve, arrange slices of cut mango on plates,  dip moulds in hot water and invert to release the jelly.   Serve with icecream or Greek yoghurt if desired and sprinkle with crushed macadamia praline.



 www.timeintuscany.com

It would be great to receive your feedback or suggestions. Click on "0 comments". You can choose 'anonymous' from the drop down menu if you don't have a google account. Or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au

Mangoes - "King of Fruit' are insanely good for you

How to choose and cut a mango
The best way by far is to simply eat the mango after cutting it expertly as shown below. Recipes to follow.

Mango - Childers Queensland  Australia- in mid January
it was so dry the grass was crunchy beneath my feet.
Two weeks later the area is in flood.
 

Mangoes  - Noosaville Markets

 

Is it ripe?  You can't always judge the ripeness by colour as they come in many hues depending on variety. The best flavored fruit have a yellow tinge when ripe; however, color may be red, yellow, green, orange or any combination.

 

Ripeness of mangoes can be determined by either smelling or by gently squeezing. A ripe mango will have a full, fruity aroma emitting from the stem end and can be considered ready to eat when slightly soft to the touch and yielding to gentle pressure, like a ripe peach. 
 
Cutting a Mango can be a slimy, slippery challenge. The best way to go about it is to start first with a ripe, but still firm fruit. If the mango is too ripe, it will be a mushy mess, and hard to cut into pieces, though easy enough to scoop out for pulp.

Cubes

Holding the mango with one hand, stand it on its end, stem side down. With a sharp knife in your other hand, cut from the top of the mango, down one side of the pit. Then repeat with the other side. You should end up with three pieces - two halves, and a middle section that includes the pit.

Take a mango half and use a knife to make lengthwise and crosswise cuts in it, but try not to cut through the peel. Using your fingers on the skin side, raise the fruit cubes into eating or cutting position. Simply serve and eat the fruit or for a salad peel off the segments with your fingers. Or use a small paring knife to cut away the pieces from the peel.
Take the mango piece with the pit, lay it flat on the cutting board. Use a paring knife to cut out the pit and remove the peel.  Some simply eat this section holding it over the sink as you eat.
 

For easy slices cut off cheeks as above then slice lengthways

Or using a sharp thin-bladed knife, cut off both ends of the fruit. Place fruit on flat end and cut away peel from top to bottom along curvature of the fruit.Cut fruit into slices by carving lengthwise along the pit.

 

 Nutrition - They are high in fiber and antioxidants and are rich in Vitamin A, C, E, B6 and potassium. They have been found to protect against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers and promote heart health and lower blood pressure.

 

It would be great to receive your feedback or suggestions. Click on "0 comments". You can choose 'anonymous' from the drop down menu if you don't have a google account. Or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au