Thursday, April 26, 2012

Mango Chicken with Cashews


I am OBSESSED with this dish.   Like, eat it for 3 meals straight and then call all of your friends and family to tell them about it, obsessed (sorry Mom).  I might even go as far as saying it tastes better than any mango dish I have had in a Thai restaurant, and way better than most take out food.  I made this last week, and have plans to make it again this evening it is that good!

Fresh mango is the base of this dish.  Mango is sweet, delicious, prevents cancer and is loaded with vitamin A and C.  For this dish you simply add mango to a few other asian kitchen staples, and process in a food processor.  I couldn't believe how easy it is to make such a tasty sauce.  Next the sauce is heated stove top with chicken and red/yellow bell peppers.  Cashews top this dish and really take it to the next level.  Trust me.   


Mango Fun Facts & Trivia

• Mangos are distantly related to a few plants that you'd probably never guess: the cashew and pistachio. 
• More fresh mangos are eaten every day than any other fruit in the world.
• India grows more mangos than all other fruits combined and is the largest producer in the world.
• A mango tree can get as tall as 100ft.
• Monkeys choose to eat the seed from the green mango. Ayurvedic healers suggest that it is the seed that gives the monkey its energy and powerful strength to jump in the tress {pretty cool}.
• According to Indian folklore, Buddha was given a mango orchard by a faithful follower so that he could rest in its cool shade. Many believe that Buddha meditated under a mango tree!  {of course he did!  I would too}

If you're now craving a mango or looking for new ways to cook up chicken, give this a shot!

Ingredients

2 ripe mangos (peeled, seeded)
1 tbsp sweet chili sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
3 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp fish sauce
1/2 lime (juiced)
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 thumb length of fresh ginger (peeled and grated)
3 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 handful cilantro (chopped)
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 pound chicken breast (sliced into bite sized pieces)
1 red bell pepper (sliced)
1 yellow bell pepper (sliced)
1 handful cashews

Method

Mix the mangos, chili sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and cilantro in a food processor.  If you don't have one, invest in one, ask for one for your birthday, etc.  They make cooking so easy!

Taste the mango sauce and make sure that there is a balance of sweet, sour, spicy and salty.  Heat oil in a pan.  Add the chicken and saute until cooked.  Add the mango sauce and peppers and simmer until the peppers are tender.  Remove from heat and serve on brown rice topped with cashews.  Bon Appétit!

Mango Fun Facts from http://www.mango.org/

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