Mango and Coconut, Lime Dessert

This is the second thing I have experimented with using my new high speed blender. The first was a smoothie, using only soft and fresh fruits, nothing frozen. Wanting to test it out some more, I threw caution to the wind and set to playing.

I had some coconuts I bought from Asda still in their shells for £1.50! I love a bargain. They were easier to de-flesh than I last remembered. It is an easier task than you would imagine to gain entry into the hard shell of a coconut, and retrieve the sweet white flesh.

Check out this video for the easiest ever method of de-shelling a coconut. Freeze it, yes, freeze it! then bash it and voila shell easily comes off. My mind was officially blown when I saw this. 

There was no logic or recipe at first for this dessert, it wasn't until I had the first taste I realised I should have made better notes. Thank goodness I am a food photo nut, I had photos of what I was doing to help me out. They were not very good to put up here, so I had to take new ones in better lighting. This also was great because I could test what I did before see how well it worked.

No added sugar in this, all a balancing act of the cooling mango with the creamy coconut. Sweet date paste and zesty lime with just a hint of heat scattered throughout the base.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did! 

Why not share your creation with the KitchenTakeovers community over on Facebook. 

All rights to images reserved  copyrights Alicia Lewis @ KitchenTakeovers

The Low Down:

Let's talk Dates. No, not a reminder or event for your diary - the fruit. I love fresh dates, the only thing is they are only available for a short time near the end of summer. But the dried dates contain the same nutrients just more concentrated, except for vitamin C this is lower in dried dates. If you have never had them you have not lived (okay maybe too far, but they delicious). If you are looking for a sweetener or sugar alternative the date is your berry. Not only is it sweet, it supports digestion with its tannins which are great for intestinal and stomach upsets; contains soluble and insoluble fibres. These are great for balancing blood sugar levels, slowing the uptake of the sugar resulting in glucose regulation. The minerals and vitamins are beneficially to muscle function throughout the body including the heart. Make them a healthy sweet treat instead of reaching for other refined sweets. Chop some on your cereal, use them to make date paste (see below), or as a quick fix on a run.

Manganese, Selenium, Copper, Magnesium

Iron, Potassium, Phospoeus, B6

Folate, Zinc, B5, Calcium, B1, Vitamin C

There is no added sugar in this, all a balancing act of the cooling mango with the creamy coconut. Sweet date paste and zesty lime with just a hint of heat scattered throughout the base. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did! 

Now lets get to the good stuff!

#As with all recipes on this blog unless otherwise stated they are my own; be kind enough to, link back to original, make, share and highlight - happy sharing #

(No Bake) Mango and Coconut, Lime Dessert

All rights to images reserved  copyrights Alicia Lewis @ KitchenTakeovers

Ingredients

Topping:

All rights to images reserved  copyrights Alicia Lewis @ KitchenTakeovers

• 1 tablespoon agar powder
• 1/2 fresh mango
• 1 tablespoon agave syrup (optional)
• 1/4 fresh coconut
• 2 tablespoon coconut water (water)
• 150 ml water
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lime zest

Blend the coconut and mango in a blender with the 2 tablespoon of coconut water till form a smooth thick paste of yoghurt consistency.  Pour into a container and set aside  for later. 

Scatter the agar into cold water, and bring to the boil stir to fully dissolve agar powder. Stir in the agave syrup now if using and continue boiling for a further 1 minute.

Next add the coconut and mango paste to the agar mixture and stir well making sure both are combined well. Boil for a further 1 minute turn the heat off. 

Base:

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• 1/2 cup mixed nuts
• 2 tablespoon coconut oil (melted)
• 1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste

Blend the nuts till fine and just about holding together when pressed between finger and thumb.

Put the nut mixture in a bowl and mix in the other ingredients till form a sort of dough.  Lightly oil and line your tin of choice with some coconut oil and grease proof paper. Then press the nut mixture into your cake tin - I find using a wet spoon helps it smooth out better.

Date paste:

All rights to images reserved  copyrights Alicia Lewis @ KitchenTakeovers

• 250 g dried dates
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Place all ingredients in a pan and simmer gently till soft. Blend till smooth. Pour into clean airtight jar and store in fridge for ~2 weeks. #I don't know if it lasts longer than this as it never goes beyond 2 weeks for me (it's yum). Use in place of sugar.

Putting it together

All rights to images reserved  copyrights Alicia Lewis @ KitchenTakeovers

Using a wet spoon smooth the base out pressing firmly into container of choice. Next take 2-4 tablespoons of the date paste and smooth over the nut base using a wet spoon, on top of the nut base (the amount you use will depend on how thick you want your middle layer, and also the size of your cake pan). Then pour the cooled mango and coconut mixture onto the date paste. Grate some lime zest on top and add some desiccated coconut for good measure. 

Chill in the refrigerator till topping is firm to the touch.

All rights to images reserved  copyrights Alicia Lewis @ KitchenTakeovers

Done!

                 Bon Appétit!!

All rights to images reserved  copyrights Alicia Lewis @ KitchenTakeovers 

Till next time, EAT mindfully, DRINK responsibly, and EXERCISE your mind and body!!!

***Disclaimer: Any of the information within this blog post and others on this site is for information and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to be taken as diagnosis, treatment, cure or  to prevent any disease. Any reader concerned about his or her health is advised to seek medical advice from their GP or relevant medical professional***