Solo Mango

Everyone else’s tree branches are weighed down with clusters of mangoes in my neighbourhood, but I could only count three fruits on my tree. One was stolen; the other was too high up for me to reach and so there was only one left. Being kiasu, I plucked it last Sunday before someone else got to it.

It was not fully ripe yet, so I left it on the kitchen counter. I think I am supposed to leave it in the rice bin to ripen, but I never got around to doing that.

While cleaning out the fridge, I found calamansi limes and cili padi that were fast turning yellow and black.

So, I decided to make mango kerabu, with my precious mango and wilting limes, chillies and coriander leaves. My mum makes hers with some bunga kantan and dried shrimps too, but I don't have those ingredients.

The mango turned out to be perfect for the kerabu – it was not too sweet with a nice sourish edge. I finished the mango kerabu, all on my own!

I am now patiently waiting for more fruits on my tree. Otherwise, maybe I'll resort to stealing my neighbour's... they have so many on their tree, they won't miss one. But I'll probably fall on my face trying to steal mangoes..... sigh.

MANGO KERABU

RECIPE

2 shallots. sliced thinly
2 bird’s eyes chilli, sliced
2 stalks coriander leaf, chopped coarsely
I mango, peeled and sliced in matchsticks

Dressing

Juice from 5 calamansi lime
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 tablespoon of fish sauce

Leave the shallots and birds eye chilli in the dressing for about 10 minutes.
Then, add the mango and coriander leaf.
Toss to mix evenly.