Fragrant Mango Cream in Brandy-Snap Baskets

1. Cut the peel from the mango and slice the flesh from the flat seed. Place half the mango flesh in a food processor or blender and process briefly until smooth; spoon into a bowl. Chop the remaining mango flesh into pieces; set aside.
2. Cut the passion fruit in half and scoop the seeds and pulp into the mango puree. Stir in the lemon curd. Add the nonfat sour cream and fold all the ingredients until well combined.
3. Spoon the mango cream mixture into the brandy-snap baskets and top with the chopped mango. Scatter a few chopped pistachio nuts over the top of each serving and decorate with fresh mint leaves.

Some More Ideas for Fragrant Mango Cream in Brandy-Snap Baskets

• Look for brandy-snap baskets in gourmet delicatessens or specialty food stores. If you can’t find any, serve the mango-flavoured cream with bought plain brandy snaps on the side.
• Substitute a papaya for the mango.
• For Raspberry and Chocolate Cream on Panettone, add 2 tablespoons chopped toasted hazelnuts and 4 tablespoons chocolate ice cream sauce to 1 1/4 cups nonfat sour cream, and swirl together until the chocolate sauce marbles the sour cream. Cut 3 long slices of dried fruit panettone in half and toast under the broiler until golden. Spoon the chocolate cream over the panettone and scatter with 1 cup fresh raspberries. Dust lightly with confectioners’ sugar and serve decorated with mint leaves.
• Slice 2 bananas and divide them among the brandy-snap baskets. Top with the chocolate and hazelnut cream above and finish with a fine drizzle of warm chocolate sauce.

Plus Points

• The ancient Indians believed that mangoes helped to increase sexual desire and prolong love-making. Whether or not this is true, mangoes are rich in beta-carotene. This antioxidant is easily absorbed by the body, because of the digestible mango flesh, and is then converted into vitamin A, which is essential for growth. Both beta-carotene, and vitamin C, which mangoes also contain, are antioxidants. The body is not able to provide its own protection against free radicals without the help of these and other essential nutrients from foods.
• Mangoes also provide useful amounts of fibre and copper.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Serves 6