Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Love and Food and, of course, the Mango.

Even
After
All this time
The sun never says to the earth,"You owe Me."
Look
What happens
With a love like that:
It lights the
Whole
Sky.

Even...after all this time...I still love this poem by Hafiz.

For some reason I'm in a nesting mode today, with a strong desire to cook something divine and enjoy it with someone else. I'm hosting a party next weekend for sure, but tonight I'm going to put my creativity to good use, roast a chicken while I write and see who'll help me eat it tomorrow.

After yoga today, I went to the market down the street. Interestingly enough, it appears as though my obsession with mangos has been duly noted by the high school kid who attends to my check-out needs every week. (We've become hi-bye-how-are-you? friends.)

"There's the mango!," he said to me at the check-out as I was absently reaching into my bag to find my wallet.

"I'm sorry?", I said. Although I knew right away what he was talking about. I practically dated every mango in the mango section to select my perfect mango mate.

"The mango!! You always get one mango every time I see you here."

"I do?"

Of course I know I do. But I was feigning shock because I didn't want it to look like I really am obsessed with mangos this winter. I've been putting them in everything. Making mango-inspired milk shakes. Mango jerk chicken. I love the mango! But a mango every week or so isn't such a bad thing? I consider the mango my special dietary treat. 'Somes reach for the Ben & Jerry's, 'somes need a mango. Don't hate.

The check-out kid laughed when he realized that I was feigning embarrassment after I told him that I should give him my secret recipe for my yogurt mango smoothie protein drink that I assured him will make all of the ladies love him, if he's into that sort of thing. I then explained to him, and the unsuspecting woman in line behind me that the mango is god's most perfect food. And food is love. Love! Have I plugged the mango enough?

My well-rubbed, roasting chicken is starting to make the house smell like an island of tranquility. Food is love. And like love, one shouldn't worry so much about sharing it and trying something new. In fact, all of my best recipes, including my beloved mango smoothie, are made for sharing. And so am I. Mmmm-Mmmmmm! Do all women think this way, or is it an ethnic thing?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I say it's definitely an ethnic thing. And it could be worse. You cold be well known for your prowess in picking out the perfect Zucchini or cucumber. Cheers & Good Luck, 'VJ'

I-66 said...

roast a chicken while I write and see who'll help me eat it tomorrow

I'm raising my hand.

Lucy said...

So how about you share that mango recipe? I'm salivating now!

Namaste said...

Here it is!

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup prepared or purchased honey-mustard dressing
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
4 chicken breast halves without skin, boneless
1 tablespoon Jamaican jerk seasoning
2 large fresh mangoes
10 to 12 cups mixed greens

PREPARATION:
Stir together honey-mustard dressing and lime zest. Cover and chill dressing while preparing chicken.
Rinse chicken and pat dry; sprinkle with the jerk seasoning In a large skillet cook the seasoned chicken in hot oil over medium-high heat about 6 minutes on each side until browned and no longer pink. Thinly slice each chicken breast.

Arrange warm chicken and mango atop greens on four plates; drizzle with the honey-mustard dressing.
Serves 4.

Chamak said...

Thanks for the mango chicken recipe. Want to try it out now. And LOVE the poem by Hafiz!