Green Mango Sambal

Side dish or condiment? This green mango sambal goes great with Balinese-style grilled fish or any dish that could use some perking up with chili peppers and sharp green mango.

 

 

Just over a year ago, I shared a recipe for Ikan Bakar Jimbaran or Bali Spicy Grilled Fish, a whole grouper that had been marinated in a spice paste, then cooked over a charcoal fire and basted with kecap manis or sweet soy sauce.

It is properly served alongside a spicy side dish called sambal matah, made from lemongrass, purple onions and chilies, with shrimp paste or ground dried shrimp. I changed that up and used tart green mango in place of the lemongrass, creating a dish that is less of a condiment, more of a salad. I rounded the meal out with another Indonesian recipe, recently shared here, long beans with coconut.

This week the Sunday Supper theme is Spice is Nice and Some Like it Hot. In Indonesian, we can differentiate between heat hot – panas – and spicy hot – pedas. In fact, many languages have this distinction. Why English, with its huge vocabulary, does not, is a mystery to me. This recipe is definitely pedas or spicy hot!

Ingredients
2 green mangoes – about 11 2/3 oz or 330g whole
2 small purple onions – about 5 1/3 oz or 150g
Juice 1 lime – about 2 tablespoons
2 tablespoons crispy prawn chili sambal
1 tablespoon fish sauce
Salt to taste

Can't find crispy prawn chili sambal? Sub:
1 oz or 28g dried shrimp
4-5 small red chilies
2-3 teaspoons coconut oil

Method
Peel and thinly slice your onions. Put them in a bowl big enough for the whole dish and squeeze the lime juice over them. Give it a stir and leave to marinate while you cut the mangoes.

Peel one side of your mangoes. Cut each into tiny strips by carefully hitting one side of it with the blade of your knife.

Then thinly slice a layer off. Repeat until you get down to the mango pit, then peel the other side and repeat the process.

Add the mango, the crispy prawn chili sambal and fish sauce to the onions.

Mix well. Taste the dish and add a little salt, if necessary.

If you can’t find crispy prawn chili sambal, use a mortar and pestle to grind the dried shrimp into a fluffy powder. Add in the chili peppers and keep grinding until they make a thick paste with the shrimp powder. Add in enough coconut oil to loosen the paste a bit. Once you've added this to the mango and onions and stirred well, don't forget to add the fish sauce too.

Enjoy!

Not every dish that has spices is necessarily spicy hot! Check out this great list of recipes from my Sunday Supper group. Many thanks to our host today, Susan from The Chef Next Door.

Aromatic Appetizers

• Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Cajun Shrimp Dip by Cooking with Carlee
• Harissa Lamb Meatballs with Herbed Yogurt Dipping Sauce by The Hungry Goddess
• Jalapeño Cheddar Roasted Chickpeas by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Smoky Jalapeño Pineapple Salsa by Dash of Evans
• Spicy Apricot Chicken Meatballs by My Life Cookbook
• Spicy Jalapeño Chickpeas by Helpful Homemade
• Spicy Peach Chicken Wings by Eat, Drink and be Tracy
• Spicy Sugared Cashews by That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Distinctive Drinks

• Cilantro Jalapeño Mojito by Manu's Menu
• Shoo Fly Punch with a Kick by Our Good Life

Daring Desserts

• Chipotle Peanut Butter Cookies by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
• Cinnamon Rolls by The Freshman Cook
• Mexican Chocolate Pudding by Pies and Plots
• Peppercorn Shortbread by The Finer Cookie
• Spicy Fudge Brownies by The Chef Next Door
• Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate Fudge by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

Masterful Mains

• Buffalo Chicken & Lentil Stuffed Peppers by Momma’s Meals
• Chicken Karahi (Pakistani Chicken Curry) by Curious Cuisiniere
• Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers by Feeding Big and more
• Chickpea, Lentil and Spinach Curry by Caroline’s Cooking
• Ddukboki (Spicy Stir Fried Rice Cakes) by kimchi MOM
• Devil’s Chicken by Monica’s Table
• East Indian Chard and Lentils by Wholistic Woman
• Fried Chicken with a Kick by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Grilled Chipotle Pork Chops by Cooking Chat
• Hella-peño Burger by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
• Jalapeño Popper Pizza by Hardly A Goddess
• Kung Pao Chicken by Palatable Pastime
• Lomo Saltado by Tramplingrose
• Spicy Black Bean Burgers by Simple and Savory
• Spicy Penne all’arrabbiata by She Loves Biscotti
• Sweet & Spicy Pulled Pork Tacos by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
• Sweet Chili Pork by Cookin’ Mimi
• Tunisian Garlic Chickpea Soup by What Smells So Good?

Seasoned Sides

• Baked Sriracha Sweet Potato Fries by Magnolia Days
• Green Mango Sambal by Food Lust People Love
• Grilled Potato Salad with Spicy Picada Sauce by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

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Apricot Habanero Jam

This spicy apricot jam is fabulous with some cheddar or cream cheese on crackers or toast, but our favorite way to enjoy it is as a glaze and/or topping on pork chops. 

This week we are Saving Summer with lots of great recipes that take advantage of nature’s bounty during the growing season and extend its use into fall and winter. Farmers’ markets and roadside stands are redolent with summer produce, if you are fortunate enough to live or visit some place that’s not hotter than the hinges of the gates of hell right now. 

As much as I love Dubai, there is no other way to describe our summer heat index. Just recently, though, I was able to visit the island of Jersey in the English Channel and I was practically skipping with joy to buy eggs and Jersey Royal potatoes at roadside stands. It’s all on the honor system. You just take what you need and drop the money in the box!

Photo credit: Glenys Claverie

Here in Dubai, the farmers’ markets close for the summer but fresh produce is flown in from everywhere around the world. These apricots were from Lebanon, if I remember correctly. I try to buy those items that have traveled the least distances.

Make sure you scroll on down to the bottom and check out all the lovely recipes and “how-to” instructions we have for you this week. And many thanks to my co-host, Tara, from Noshing with the Nolands. She’ll be leading the Saving Summer Twitter chat this evening so be sure to join in!

Ingredients
2 lbs or 910g fresh apricots

1 small habanero
3 1/2 cups or 700g sugar, divided
Half pack pectin - Just less than 1 oz or about 25g (I use the Sure-Jell brand and the box says 1.75oz or 49g.)
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
 1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup orange juice, most pulp

3-4 clean, sterilized jam jars
Wide-mouth funnel for filling jars

N.B. Make sure your jars and lids are thoroughly sterilized because this quick canning method does not require a hot water bath or pressure cooking. If you have any doubts whatsoever, store the jam in the refrigerator once cooled.

Method
Halve your apricots and remove the pits. Pull the stem off of your habanero and discard it.

In a large pot, heat your apricots with the habanero, 3 cups or 600g of the sugar, the sea salt and the lemon and orange juices.

Cook over a low to medium heat for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally and skimming any white foam that forms around the top. The apricots and habanero should start falling apart and turning to pulp.

Get your jars ready for filling by lining them up on some paper towels (to catch the inevitable drips onto your countertop) and inserting a metal teaspoon into each one. A wide-mouth funnel will make this so much easier! Put the funnel into the first jar, at the ready.

Meanwhile, mix your pectin with the remaining half cup or 100g of sugar.

Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool for just a few minutes. Use your hand blender to puree the mixture to your desired consistency.

Return the pot to the heat and add in the sugar/pectin mixture. Mix well and bring the pot to a full rolling bowl for at least a minute.

Ladle the boiling hot jam into the clean jars, moving the funnel along as you go. Do be careful not to splash jam on yourself.

I completely missed taking a picture at this stage so here's one from when I made tomato chutney for Sunday Supper. Pretend this is apricot habanero jam. :) Same process.

Remove the teaspoons and screw the lids on the jars very tightly, using a towel to hold the jars and turn the lids, starting with jar one. When you get to jar three or four, start over at number one, trying to tighten them all just a little more.

Turn the jars upside down so that the hot jam further sterilizes the insides of your clean lids.

Leave the jars upside down until the jam has completely cooled, which could take several hours. Turn the jars upright and check that the center button on the lids have popped in, if your lids have those. Any jars whose buttons have not popped in should be stored in the refrigerator as this means the seal is not good and bacteria could get in. If this jam lasts that long. :) I could eat it with a spoon.

Enjoy!

Garden growing overtime? Fruit and veg box overflowing? Can't resist the local produce at the farmers' market? Then this is the Sunday Supper for you!

Learn how to …

• Dry Fruit - No-Dehydrator-Needed from Take A Bite Out of Boca 
• Freeze Cherries from Pies and Plots
• Freeze Herbs from Rhubarb and Honey 
• Make Freezer Harvest Soup Kits from Cindy's Recipes and Writings 
• Make Pesto Cubes from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen 
• Make and Freeze Rosemary Butter from Momma's Meals 
• Make Ready to Blend Smoothie Packs for Your Freezer from The Educators’ Spin On It 
• Oven Dry Cherries from The Redhead Baker 

Sip sunny cocktails and smoothies

• Blueberry, Peaches and Cream Green Smoothies from Cupcakes & Kale Chips 
• Green Tea and Chocolate Saketini from Ninja Baking 
• Sangria from Confessions of a Culinary Diva 

Scoop up special salsas and sauces

• Classic Freezer Tomato Sauce from Noshing With The Nolands 
• Peach Salsa from The Texan New Yorker
• Pico de Gallo from Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen 
• Spicy Apple - Carrot Chutney from What Smells So Good? 
• Spring Conserve from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks 

Jump into jellies, jams and preserves

• Apricot Habanero Jam from Food Lust People Love 
• Corn Cob Jelly from Daily Dish Recipes 
• Hot Pepper Jelly from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures 
• No Pectin Apricot Jam from Curious Cuisiniere 
• Peach Preserves from Delaware Girl Eats 
• Pineapple Mango Moscato Jam from Seduction in the Kitchen 
• Raw Raspberry-Vanilla Chia Jam from Shockingly Delicious 
• Savory Fig and Sweet Onion Freezer Jam from Peaceful Cooking 
• Spicy Ginger Tomato Jam with Coconut Sugar from Sue's Nutrition Buzz
• Spicy Red Pepper Jam from The Wimpy Vegetarian

Pucker up for pickles

• Bread and Butter Pickles from That Skinny Chick Can Bake 
• Pickled Beets and Onions from Kudos Kitchen by Renée 
• Pickled Green Tomatoes from Culinary Adventures with Camilla 
• Refrigerator Pickled Jalapeños with Herbs from Magnolia Days 
• Refrigerator Pickled Radish and Turnips from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen 
• Refrigerator Pickles from Webicurean 
• Sweet Pickled Cauliflower from Because I Like Chocolate 

Slurp and spoon soup and a side dish

• Easy Garden Fresh Tomato Basil Soup from Neighborfood 
• Savory Summer Kimchi from A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen 

Dive into divine desserts

• Easy (no machine) Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream from Mama Bee Does
• Freeze 'em For Later Peach Berry Hand Pies from eating in instead
• Frozen Yogurt Covered Blueberries from Peanut Butter and Pepper
• Lemon and Blackberry Meringue Cakes from Happy Baking Days
• Lemon Curd Coffee Crumb Cake with Vanilla Drizzle from Wallflour Girl
• Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream from Killer Bunnies, Inc

Spicy Tangy Sticky Kumquat Chutney

When kumquats are in season, may you be blessed either with a tree that produces the little orange orbs or a generous neighbor with one. This chutney is sweet and spicy with just the right amount of vinegar bite to make it spoonable over everything, from chicken to pork chops to fish.

When I was growing up in Texas, kumquats and their non-related look-a-likes, loquats or Japanese plums, were common in backyards.  We weren’t fortunate to have our own but neighbors and relatives were more than happy to share.  Over the years, I have bought them when available but never have I seen them as plentiful or as inexpensive as here in Egypt.

It must be the season because I bought a bag of more than two pounds or one kilo for about 50 cents in American money.  And, boy, was I delighted because I had just the recipe I wanted to adapt for them from, once again, my new favorite cookbook Fried Chicken and Champagne.

Spicy Tangy Sticky Kumquat Chutney recipe - Click here to print

Ingredients
About 2 pounds or 1 kilo kumquats
1 1/2 cups or 355ml orange juice
1 1/4 cups or 295ml rice wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper or red pepper flakes
2 in or 4cm piece of cinnamon stick
1 large, thick thumb-sized piece fresh ginger
4 cups or 900g sugar
1 large fresh chili pepper

Method
Wash your kumquats and remove any stems.  Finely slice them, removing any large green seeds. 

Pile them in a bowl and cover them with the orange juice.  Push them down into the juice a little if necessary.  Cover the bowl with cling film and let marinate overnight in the refrigerator.

The next day, peel your ginger and grate it finely into something that saves the pulp and the juice, because you’ll want to use both in the next step. 

In a large saucepan off of the stove, add in the kumquats, rice vinegar, red pepper, cinnamon stick, ginger and sugar.

Stir until the sugar is dissolved and pick out any large green seeds you might have missed.

Bring the mixture to a boil and then turn the fire down. Be careful at the beginning because the sugar really makes it bubble up. You do not want this to boil over!

Cook until it thickens to your desired consistency. The original recipe had some interesting instructions about bringing it to the boil and turning it down three times, so I did this, only to realize that I wanted the sauce to be more like a chutney.  Boiling only three times left it very runny.

I abandoned all that up-flame-down-flame and just gave it a steady very low boil, stirring every few minutes, until it was pretty thick.  Remember that once it cools, it will thicken even more so stop before you can stand a spoon in it or it will be too thick cold.

Meanwhile, mince your fresh chili, discarding the seeds if you don’t like things too spicy.  My pepper wasn’t very hot so I serious considered adding two.  Then I remembered the crushed red pepper and thought better of it.  But you can judge for yourself.

Once the chutney is almost thick enough, add in the minced pepper.  Stir and cook just a few minutes longer.  You want the pepper to retain its color.

Turn off the fire and remove the cinnamon stick.  It’s done.

While it cools, take your helper out to play with the handful of leftover kumquats.

This was divine with bacon-wrapped, pan-fried chicken breasts, as well as pork chops. (YES, I FOUND PORK CHOPS IN CAIRO! And they were, despite reports to the contrary, cheaper than steak.) I don’t have any clean empty jars or I would have bottled the chutney boiling hot, like I did with the pepper sauce here. Instead I stored in Ziplocs in my fridge.

With bacon-wrapped chicken breasts. Oh, man!

Pan-fried pork chops!

If you are a lover of sweet and sour and especially if you are also a lover of orange marmalade, this is the chutney for you. If you like things extra spicy, you might also want to try my nectarine kumquat habanero chutney!

Enjoy!