This post is a collaboration with the National Mango Board. We truly love mangos and cooking as a family, so this is a perfect match up for Dash of Evans. As always, all recipes and opinions are my own.
Mangos are a delicious treat year round…plus full of healthy vitamins and more. Check out two fab new ways to enjoy: Blackened Shrimp Skewers and Frozen pops!
In our home, we are a one meal family. I don’t shy away from spice and I aim to raise adventurous eaters. This is not saying my kids love every meal I make….I totally have picky eaters at any point in time, but we try not to dwell on it. As long as they try a bite or two, we’re happy. Mangos are always something I know everyone will love.
Growing up, I always loved to try new foods, especially when we would travel around the country and world. At home in Michigan, though, fruit like mangos weren’t common in our diet. I remember the first time I tried mango was on a cruise with Ricky. Beforehand, I jokingly told him that I was going to eat as much tropical fruit from the buffet as I could–fresh, local produce is always my favorite part of travel. I filled up my plate with pineapple and they told me I had to try the fresh mango slices. I instantly fell in love! From that point on, it became a common part of our diet.
Finding fresh mango in the Midwest a decade ago was quite hard. I was lucky to have a great grocery store in Madison, Woodman’s, who offered a large variety of different fruits and vegetables. Learning how to properly cut it was another feat–believe me, I got it wrong quite a few times. If you’re not sure how to choose a mango, the National Mango Board has a great guide for you. It’s a lot like an avocado!
With my girls, mango was introduced when I started making baby food–I loved that it had vitamin C and a fun texture. It was great to mix in as they got older with oatmeal and yogurt. Did you know that mango has only 100 calories per cup?! I love that it’s super easy to find delicious mango year round now!
For a sweet treat to cleanse our palate after the spice of the shrimp, the girls helped me make Mango Coconut Pops the day before. This is a fun after-school activity for the kiddos, plus it shows them how to make a healthy snack. Tip: save the rest of the coconut milk for the pilaf!
Ingredients for the Mango Coconut Pops
- 1/2 cup coconut water
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup fresh mango chunks
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1 Tablespoon orange juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
In a blender, add all ingredients, except strawberries. Mix until smooth. Pour into half of a frozen pop mold. Add strawberries to remaining mixture and blend. Top off the molds. Freeze for at least 3 hours.
I love this skewer recipe to kick off warmer weather…or to serve at a dinner party with friends. Let’s face it: here in Michigan we’re ready for some sunshine and grilling! This is totally a crowd pleaser, but without tons of effort. Score!
I don’t make my own spice mixes all of the time, but blackening spice is one that’s great to have on hand in the summer. It adds a kick of flavor to chicken, seafood and even steaks! Store bought varieties can have so much sodium and extra crazy ingredients–this mix uses ones you probably already have on hand! Once you mix this up, store it in a small jar and it’s great for about a month. (Heads up: a great gift idea too!)
Pilaf is another commonly store bought item that is simple to make at home! Did you know pilaf is just white rice and orzo? Once you make your own, you’ll never go back to the box! To pair with the spice of the blackened shrimp skewers, I used sweet mango and coconut in the pilaf. TO DIE FOR.
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 1/2 cup orzo (found in the pasta aisle)
- 1/2 cup white rice
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped mango
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup coconut milk (canned, found in the ethnic aisle)
- 1.5 Tablespoons paprika
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 pounds peeled , de-veined shrimp
- 1 red or orange pepper
- 1 mango , cut into large chunks
- Optional garnish: cilantro , toasted coconut
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In a small jar, combine blackening spice ingredients. Stir and shake. Set aside.
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Using a medium sauce pan, heat canola oil over medium heat. Add rice and orzo. Slightly toast for 2-3 minutes. Add mango, chicken stock and coconut milk. Stir.
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Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Rinse shrimp and dry with paper towel. Cut pepper into larger chunks.
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Sprinkle blackening spice onto shrimp and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Add to skewers. There should be about 5 per skewer. If you're using wooden, be sure to soak for at least 30 min.
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On separate skewers, add mango and pepper chunks.
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Add to grill, cooking until charred. Shrimp shouldn't take long at all, look for it to slightly curl.
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Once rice is done, pour onto a plate. Add skewers on top and sprinkle with chopped cilantro or toasted coconut.
What is your favorite way to eat mango? Have you tried grilling it yet?
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Oh man do those look good! If you weeks and will be going on a beach vacation and I cannot think of anything better to make them something like this.
Jeanette recently posted…Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas
I cannot wait to try these! I just found out I am no longer allergic to coconut so I am wanting to try lots of recipes with coconut!
I made my own pilaf once but I like your recipe better. Mango is GOOD! Great idea to make pops for after a spicy meal too.
Now THIS is summer cooking at its best! I cannot wait to try this recipe out!
This recipe is definitely for me! I love shirmp and mango at the same time. Looks sooo yummy. I will try it soon 🙂
Oh man. Those look AMAZING!! I seriously want to eat the page every time I visit your blog. Thanks for the cutting mango tips too — I hack mine apart like a cave woman! LOL
Ahhh! Shrimp is one of my favorite dished to prepare. I can’t wait to try this. I’ve never tried my hand at blackened shrimp!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle recently posted…5 Awesome Ways to #ButterMomUp on #MomsDay
These look UNREAL and SO YUMMY!!!!!
Good mangos are hard to find up north but I find they are more plentiful in the summer. The blackened shrimp looks like such a great dish and healthy too.
Oh this is such a good summer recipe and I love the mango pops. I am totally excited to do some cooking with mangoes. They are so tasty!
Shrimp is one of my favorites. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make some this weekend. I am sure it will be a hit.
Wow, this looks delicious. I’m not a fan of shrimp, but I’d still give this recipe a try. I’d just have to take the shrimp out. Yum!
Bet your family loved trying your beautiful dish. The mango pilaf is such a nice touch, too, adding even more color and texture to this meal.
Janis @MommyBlogExpert recently posted…Twitter Party Calendar April 23 – April 29 Parties w/ Prizes Constant Updates
Just looking at these make me drool! I want to eat them off of the screen! I can’t wait to make them!
This is a great idea! I love mango but I never tried this yet!! I can’t wait to make it!
Toni | Boulder Locavore recently posted…Blueberry Mint Crumble in Jars
I grew up in Michigan, and you’re right, a while back mangos were very rare. Now that I live in Guam, mangos are everywhere! The recipes are endless. Currently we’re pickling green mangos. But I’m pinning this recipe for sure!
This looks so good. Can you come over and cook for me? LOL, I hate cooking.
This all looks super yummy! I’m so making that shrimp dish!
Everything looks delicious, but especially the shrimp 😉 Hoping my kids grow into liking seafood!
oh my goodness!!!! This looks amazing!!!! We are huge seafood people and these flavors remind me of the tropics!
I love trying new recipes and this dish looks scrumptious. I can’t wait to make this.
Tara recently posted…Vegan Chicken Salt
My girls will love these Mango Coconut Pops especially with the nicer weather coming. The shrimp looks tasty.
Stacie recently posted…Caramel Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Mango coconut pops?! Yum! I’d love to try that out this summer!
This looks amazing! I love mango, but unfortunately have developed an allergy to it the last few years. 🙁 I might have to give this recipe a try and sub pineapple.
Ooooh, these look good! <3
I’m an enormous mango lover, ESPECIALLY when it’s grilled. This looks delicious!
The coconut mango pilaf sounds wonderful.
Just thinking about how popular I’ll be if I bring these to a Memorial Day BBQ on monday!!
wow…this is super duper delicious…i tried this and everything was so perfect…loved the taste and aroma 🙂