Ayesha Curry shops for the perfect mango in NYC
Ayesha Curry was raised by great women who instilled in her a passion for cooking. This passion has helped Ayesha both launch her career and prioritize spending time with her family in the kitchen. But even as a celebrity chef, author and foodie, Ayesha sometimes struggles to think of new, wholesome and delicious meals to bring to her table. When she finds herself needing a little food inspiration, Ayesha turns to the experiences and flavors of her childhood.
Mango love runs deep
Ayesha grew up with a Jamaican grandmother who had mango trees in her backyard, so eating and cooking with the fruit reminds her of home. A lot of people don’t know this, but mango is the world’s most popular fruit and iconic in many cuisines across the globe. While its sweetness and versatility make it a perfect addition to any favorite dish, mango is also delicious on its own and is often simply paired with the spices of the country.
In Ayesha’s home, not only does everyone love mango for its incredible flavor, but because it’s a superfruit. At 100 calories per cup, mangoes are packed with vitamins and nutrients, and are a good source of fiber, making them a perfect food for any family.
Make it with mango!
When Ayesha is in the mood for something special and with a little cultural flare, she whips up her Jerk-Rubbed Chicken Skewers and Mango Salsa. Jerk chicken is a family-favorite recipe for Ayesha, and adding the sweet flavor of mango gives it a delicious twist.
Ayesha Curry’s Jerk-Rubbed Chicken Skewers with Mango Salsa
Jerk-Rubbed Chicken Skewers with Mango Salsa
Servings: 4-6 skewers
Ingredients:
Mango Salsa
2 cups mango, chopped
1/4 cup red onion
1/4 cup cilantro
1/2 tbs lime juice
1 tsp jalapeno, finely diced
1/4 tsp salt and pepper
Jerk Chicken Rub & Skewers
3 cloves minced garlic
3 tbs olive oil
1 shallot, finely minced
1 tbs fresh thyme leaves, finely minced
1 tbs brown sugar
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground clove
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 pound chicken breast, cubed
Skewers, soaked in water
Instructions:
Mango Salsa
Combine all ingredients. Let sit and allow flavors to meld while you prepare the chicken.
Jerk Chicken Rub & Skewers
Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl. Coat cubed chicken well with the rub. Marinate for 30 minutes or more. Skewer 4-6 pieces of chicken per stick. Cook on a grill pan at medium high heat. Turn frequently to avoid burning. Cook for about 15 minutes or until juices run clear. Place the chicken on or off the skewer and spoon the Mango Salsa on top.
Get your hands on a perfect mango
Mangoes are available year-round, so you can always get your hands on a perfect mango. If you’d like to make mango your go-to ingredient, here are some tips and tricks Ayesha shares with family and friends:
Selection. To find a ripe mango, just squeeze gently. A ripe mango will be slightly soft like a peach or avocado.
Ripening. Keep unripe mangoes at room temperature. Once ripe, mangoes can be moved to the refrigerator to slow down ripening for several days.
Cutting. To cut a mango, simply slice off the sides of the fruit, avoiding the large seed in the center. Once you have these two sides, you can slice or dice as needed. Then, simply scoop it out of the skin. You can also cut around the seed to get two extra slices of mango and let your kids gnaw on the seed!
Mangoes at the grocery store
While there are many mango varieties to covet, Ayesha’s kids love Honey mangoes because they’re super sweet and creamy! Here’s a quick look at the most common mango varieties you’ll find in U.S. grocery stores:
- Honey. Sweet, creamy and vibrant yellow. Small wrinkles appear when fully ripe. Peak availability is March – June.
- Francis. Rich, spicy and sweet, with yellow skin and green overtones. Peak availability is April – June.
- Haden. Rich in flavor with fine fibers, often bright red with green and yellow overtones. Peak availability is March – May.
- Keitt. Sweet and fruity, with juicy flesh, limited fibers and green skin. Peak availability is July – September.
- Kent. Sweet and rich, dark green mangoes with red blush. Peak availability is December – February and June – August.
- Tommy Atkins. Mild and sweet, these dark red mangoes are the most widely grown variety coming into the U.S. Peak availability is March – July and September – October.
Who will you share the mango love with today?
Learn More
Visit www.mango.org for additional information on mango nutrition, selection tips, cutting methods and much more.
