Mango Pudding – An Authentic Chinese Dessert

Currently, I am on a Chinese food kick. If you didn’t get a chance to see it already, check out my avocado chicken stir-fry recipe here. I had to follow up that delicious dish with an authentic Chinese dessert recipe. I have made this pudding before, but had honestly not known that it was an Asian specialty until now. I found this recipe here, in an online archive of traditional Chinese dishes. It was the only recipe I could find online that had the measurement conversions already figured out for us American cooks. This dessert is unique and will impress your taste buds. It serves eight.

Ingredients:

• 2 envelopes (2 tablespoons total) unflavored gelatin
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup hot water
• 3 cups pureed fresh mangoes
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 8 ice cubes
• lime wedges, optional
• fresh mango slices for garnish, optional

Directions:

1. 1.       Add gelatin and sugar to hot water and mix until dissolved and smooth.
2. 2.       In large bowl, mix mango puree, evaporated milk and ice cubes. Pour gelatin mixture into mango mixture and stir until ice cubes are melted.
3. 3.       Pour mixture into jelly mold and chill until set, at least three hours. To serve, dip jelly mold briefly in hot water then turn pudding out onto platter. Squeeze on some lime juice, garnish with mango slices if desired and serve. Best if eaten same day as preparation.

Try this recipe by itself, or combine it with the avocado chicken stir-fry to make it a complete Chinese food night for the family. This mango pudding is especially fun to make. It is so simple, that you can get the kids involved. Enjoy!