I Love Mango!

Yes! Mango has and will always be a favorite fruit of mine.   I love the sweet and fragrant smell of the ripe ones.   I can really devour several pieces of that golden yellow, heart-shaped fruit especially when I was younger.   Pity I am diabetic now that's why I slowed down eating this lovely fruit because it is classified as Medium in the Glycemic Index of Food.   Glycemic Index as Wikipedia defined is a measure of effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels.   I remember way back then during my 5th grade when our family relocated from Manila to Laguna. Me and my friends had the joy of climbing the mango trees and picked the mangoes we like and eat them there and then.  They have 3 varieties: Kalabaw, Piko and Indian.

Mango is rich in anti-oxidant - vitamins A and C.   Vitamin C is more pronounced in unripe or green mangoes.   It also has traces of vitamins E, B and K.

Mangoes are also used for culinary purposes.   They are used for sauces, cakes, preserved like jams and pickles, jellies, shakes, sorbets and ice creams.  Locally, we see dried mangoes on the shelves of the supermakets and some brands are already being exported to other countries.  Philippines is one of the major exporters of mangoes in the world.

Here is one of the refreshing mango drink developed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-DOST at their website written by Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso, NCS, RUMD:

Mango Medley


Ingredients:

1. 1 piece ripe mango
2. 1 piece banana - lakatan
3. 1 slice papaya
4. calamansi juice (lemon)
5. sugar to taste

Procedure:

1. Blenderize the fruits until smooth.
2. For every 1/3 cup of fruit pulp, add 2/3 water.
3. Stir in calamansi juice and sugar.
4. Chill.

It makes 4 servings.   Enjoy this healthful drink!

Image source:
rickguatzjr

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Cristeta Comerford: White House Executive Chef

It's great to hear that a Filipino-American woman has made it to the top post in the White House kitchen. Her name is Cristeta "Cris" Comerford and is the first minority to hold the Executive Chef position.

She studied Food Technology at University of the Philippines in Diliman and was unable to complete her studies as she has to immigrate to U.S.A. to be with his family. In 1995, during the Clinton administration, she worked at the White House kitchen as an assistant chef to Executive Chef Walter Scheib. When Scheib resigned in 2005, First Lady Laura Bush promoted her as the new Executive Chef. When the Obamas moved to the White House in 2009, they retained her in that position.

Please click this link http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6939075 to see a newsclip from abc News about Cris at work at the White House with First Lady Michelle Obama.

Cris now lives in Columbia, Maryland with husband John, who is also a chef and with their daughter Danielle.

Video Source:
abc News

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