Soft Mango Bites

Soft Mango Bites

For us Summers are incomplete without Mango delicacies . Mango tastes great as a fruit by itself and apart from it there is an endless array of dishes made with this tropical fruit ranging from Juices and Smoothies to desserts and Cakes. Mangoes add a tropical twist and explode of flavor to any meal.

 This time I tried making some soft  Mango bites . These are very handy, flavorful and ready to pop candies , great for kids and serve best to satisfy sweet craving for all age groups. I have used Alphonso Mango pulp in this recipe which imparts rich golden colour as well as an irresistible aroma and the Saffron and Cardamom add to the richness of this candy !

Ingredients:

• Mango pulp - 1 cup
• Sweetened Condensed Milk - 1 cup
• Milk Powder - 1 cup
• Few Saffron strands
• Cardamom powder- 1/2 tsp

Method :

• Peel and pit ripe mangoes of your choice , cut  into pieces and make a smooth puree  in a grinder .I have used Alphonso Mango Pulp.
• To make Condensed milk at home - Take 1 liter full cream milk add 10-12 tsp sugar to it and reduce it to 1/4 . Skip this step if using ready made Condensed milk. 
• In a Wok or non stick pan add the Mango Pulp and start reducing it on medium heat. Keep stirring continuously for 3-4 minutes or till the pulp thickens a bit. This step not only reduces the pulp but also enhances the flavors of Mango.

• Now add the condensed milk to the mango pulp. Blend properly and keep on stirring the mixture continuously on medium heat for 5-7 minutes. Now dissolve saffron strands in little warm milk and add this to the mixture and mix well. As the condensed milk is sweetened, and the Alphonso mango pulp was also sweet , I have not added sugar to this recipe. You may add powdered sugar if the mango pulp is not sweet.

•  Now add the milk powder slowly to the mixture and keep on blending it well without any lumps. Keep on scrapping the sides as well as the bottom of the wok , so as to avoid the   mixture from sticking.

• Our aim is to get a dough like consistency of this mixture. this will take some 5-7  minutes more of continuous stirring . Yes, it needs patience but believe me, these flavorful candies are worth the efforts . You can use a microwave to reduce the efforts. 

•   Now that the mixture is reduced and thick enough and is no more sticking the sides of  the pan, put off the flame. Now add the cardamom powder. Mix well and let it cool down. 
•  Apply some ghee on your hands and pinch small portion from the dough and make a small ball shaped candy , this should not be sticky . Repeat the same for rest of the dough and your soft Mango bites are ready to melt in your mouth ! 

    Notes:

• These soft Mango bites stay well for 15 days upon refrigeration. 
• The above measurements yield 35-40 small soft Mango bites.
• The same recipe can be made using a Microwave to reduce the efforts.
• You can make bigger balls and have them as mango Ladoo or just press the mango balls little between the palms and place one pistachio on them and enjoy them as mango Peda or put into moulds to get various shapes.