Mango Chutney

Believe it or not, I discovered chutney not too long ago…You probably won’t believe where either – Argentina. Yep…I’ve always known about chutney, I’ve know what it’s paired with but never really – really – tried it correctly. And it’s at my favorite Indian restaurant in Argentina where I discovered how delicious a chutney could be.

Chutney, I believe, is one of those jars that you constantly have to have in your fridge…be it the kind that you like. Put it on a cracker, spread it on bread for a flavorful sandwich, as a small side for your delivered home-made curry. I feel it rounds out a dish perfectly by adding the right amount of flavor and spice!

Mango Chutney Recipe:

2 cups Light Brown Sugar

1 cup White Vinegar

4-5 Mangos cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1 large Onion medium dice

1 1/2 inch piece Ginger minced

1 large Garlic Clove minced

1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds

1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

*Ginger, garlic and cayenne can be added to your liking…like it hot?! Just add more!

Bring the sugar and vinegar to a boil. Add the rest of the ingredients in at once and simmer for about 45 minutes. Keep an eye on the pot and stir every once in a while, you’ll notice the chutney will begin to thicken and you’ll know it’s ready!

Have 4 to 5 half pint jars ready to be filled. Want a quick and easy way to can? Boil water and fill the jars and tops to the top, let it sit for a minute and pour the water out. While your chutney is still piping hot, fill the jars and close.

I’ll let you know this chutney will not last very long in the fridge – not because it’s gonna go bad – but BECAUSE YOU’RE GONNA BE EATING IT! A delicious balance of sweet, sour, and the right amount of spice. Now get to ordering that curry and pair it with your very own chutney!

 

A Sweet Escape

While walking the streets of Palermo in Buenos Aires look for a red awning. Yeah, ridiculous! You know what, don’t look for it…know exactly where you’re going! Farinelli – a sweet escape.

This cute little spot is all white and red, full of delicious goodies.

Walking by Farinelli will remind you of grandma’s house. That is, if your grandma put pies on the windowsill to cool. No? Ok, well, mine didn’t either. But you’ll feel like a child wanting every single goodie, face right against the glass, tongue out! Brownies, bundt cakes, cheesecake…all lined one next to the other. All fresh, what there is is what you’ll get!

As you walk inside…because you WILL walk inside…you’ll find baskets full of fresh fruits and veggies that they use to create the wonderful recipes made right in front of your eyes.

If you are lucky enough to go on a day when they have brownies, don’t doubt it – just do it! If it’s not clear enough in the picture above, ooey gooey wal-nuty! That perfect texture you dream of when you bite into any brownie…it’s got it.

And below a traditional vanilla ‘bizcochuelo’ with a hint of lemon and a side of red berry sauce. Fluffy and moist – cakey perfection.

To wash the sweetness down order the lemonade – please don’t leave without tasting this! So fresh, so minty – minty freshness.

A sunny Sunday afternoon, heck any afternoon! End it well, at Farinelli.

Oh Pudding

I have to admit, one of the things I look forward to when family and friends come to visit me in the city is…here it goes…stepping into Magnolia Bakery again! =D Truthfully, I never go into any of their locations if it doesn’t involve somebody I love having the pleasure of tasting their amazing Banana Pudding for the first time.

Yes, I said banana pudding…not cupcakes! Magnolia did become famous for their visually beautiful little cakes but I respectfully disagree, there is one other place that takes #1 – and you’ll come to find out shortly!

Stepping into any of their little bakeries is like stepping into sweet sweet heaven. Stacks of colorful cupcakes waiting to be hand-picked, layer cakes being frosted right before your eyes, sweetness, frosting, sweetness, cake…choose pudding!

The flavor is truly indescribable. Just scoop a spoonful, close your eyes, and let it all in! Creamy, fluffy, sweetness will fulfill your taste buds…slices of fresh banana, pieces of their delicious white cake all mixed into a pint sized – never enough – container. You will hold me in your thoughts right after your first bite.

If you have tasted this ridiculous goodness and are away from the city in need of a banana pudding fix, check out the link below and be pleasantly surprised:

http://www.confessionsofacookbookqueen.com/2012/10/magnolia-bakery-banana-pudding/