From Our 2025 Mango Tree to the Table

Every year, I look forward to our Mango tree harvest. Family and friends come together to help pick the mangoes. This year, our tree was overflowing with mangoes.  I tried a few new recipes and old favorites. 

Nutrition Profile

Mangoes are not only delicious but also contain essential nutrients. The nutritional value of mangoes can vary slightly depending on the variety and ripeness of the fruit, but in general, they are a rich source of Vitamin C, folate, and water.

8-ounce Mango equals 136 Calories, 1g Fat, 34g Carbohydrates, 30g Total Sugars, 2g Protein, 2 mg Sodium, 4g Dietary Fiber.

1/2 cup Mango pieces equals 50 Calories, 12g Carbohydrates, 11g Total Sugars, 1g Protein, 1 mg Sodium,  1g Dietary Fiber.

Recipes

Mango Oatmeal Muffins

Ginger Glazed Salmon with Mango Salsa

Mango Chicken Pasta Salad

Mango Raspberry Yogurt Parfait

Stuffed Cucumber with Chicken Mango Salad
Mango Milkshake
Mango Berry Fruit Salad

Mango Chicken Broccoli with Ginger Dressing

More Ways to Use Mangoes.
1. Top 10 Ways to Use Frozen Mangos. Fruits and Veggies More Matters.
2. Juicy Mango Gelatin Recipe. Janice Bissex, MS, RDN, and Elizabeth Weiss, MS, RD. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Until Next Season

Our Mango Harvest: Mango Raspberry Yogurt Parfait

Mango Raspberry
Strawberry Yogurt Parfait
with a Mango Oatmeal Muffin

Serves 1
Ingredients.
4 oz Strawberry Yogurt, nonfat
¼ cup Mango, fresh pieces
½ cup Raspberries, fresh

Directions.
Add ingredients in layers in the order they appear in the ingredient list.

Nutrition Information.

Our Mango Harvest: Mango Chicken Pasta Salad

The Mango Chicken Pasta Salad is easy to prepare and perfect for a hot summer day. Make sure you refrigerate before serving.

Ingredients.
1/2 cup pasta, cooked
1/2 cup mango, diced
3 oz chicken, diced
1/4 cup tomato, diced
2 Tbsp onions, diced
2 Tbsp fat-free vinaigrette
1 cup mixed greens

Directions.
1. Plate the greens on the bottom of the plate.
2. Mix all ingredients together (except the greens).
2. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition Information.

Mango Oatmeal Muffins

Mango Oatmeal Muffins

Serves:12

Ingredients:
1.5 cups mango or frozen mango, thawed
¼ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
½ cup canola oil
1.5 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup oats
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.

2. Whisk together two eggs, brown sugar, and oil in a medium bowl.

3. Next, add softened mango and mash with a fork to combine with wet ingredients.

4. In a separate bowl, stir all dry ingredients (flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt).

5. Then, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir to combine, forming a batter.

6. Fill non-stick muffin tins 2/3 full with batter.

7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Use a toothpick to insert into the muffin to check doneness; if the toothpick comes out clean, they’re ready.

Nutrition Information.
Calories (kcal)           182
Protein (g)                  4
Carbohydrates (g)      19
Total Dietary Fiber (g) 3
Total Sugars (g)          6
Added Sugar (g)         3
Fat (g)                        11
Saturated Fat (g)         1
Cholesterol (mg)         31
Calcium (mg)              72
Magnesium (mg)         39
Phosphorus (mg)         71
Potassium (mg)          115
Sodium (mg)              165

Ginger Glazed Salmon with Mango Salsa

This marks my inaugural experience with an air fryer. As a salmon enthusiast intending to create a mango salsa for Our Mango series, everything seemed perfectly aligned for a delicious meal.

After unboxing the air fryer, I was eager to find the cooking instructions. However, to my dismay, there were none to be found. Fortunately, I turned to YouTube, where I discovered a helpful tutorial on how to prepare salmon using the air fryer. The outcome was truly delightful, and I couldn't be happier with the results.

    

 Ginger Glazed Salmon with Mango Salsa

Serves 1

Ingredients
6 oz Salmon, fresh or defrosted
2 Tbsp Ginger dressing as a marinade

Mango Salsa
1/2 Mango, diced
2 Tbsp Tomatoes, diced
2 Tbsp Onions, diced
2 Tbsp Green peppers, diced
2 teaspoons Ginger marinade

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Marinade salmon with ginger dressing. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Place the salmon filet in the air fryer basket and set the timer for 10 minutes.

4. While the salmon is cooking, prepare the mango salsa.
5. Combine all the salsa ingredients together and mix gently.
6. Top salmon with mango salsa and enjoy.

 

Nutrition Information
Analysis based on One serving.
Calories (kcal)                327
Protein (g)                       34
Carbohydrates (g)          18
Total Dietary Fiber (g)      2
Total Sugars (g)              14
Added Sugar (g)               0
Fat (g)                             13
Saturated Fat (g)              1
Cholesterol (mg)             73
Sodium (mg)                  222

From Tree to Table: Celebrating Arbor Day with Garden Fresh Delights

A Tour through Our Garden

From Tree to Table:
Celebrating Arbor Day with Garden Fresh Delights

"Arbor Day is a time to celebrate the wonders of nature
and to plan for an even greener future by
planting and caring for trees."

Our Mango Trees

Last year, our mango tree produced over 80 fruits.
This year looks like another high yield.

Our Banana Plant(s)

I asked for a Banana Plant for my birthday (July 5, 2020).
It stood about 2 feet high. In less than 10 months, the
banana plant grew to a height exceeding 10 feet.
In November 2021, the Banana Plant produced an
amazing first harvest. In addition, that
one Banana Plant is now 4 Banana Plants.
Banana plants appear to multiply as fast as rabbits.

John Denver - Plant a Tree

While growing up in East Meadow, New York, we had a huge apple tree in our yard. I would climb up the tree and sit on the branches for hours, eating the apples while watching the world below.

When Jake and I moved into our home in 1998, we planted a mango tree. We watched it grow and flourish. Then, in 2005, Hurricane Wilma hit and damaged the tree. We tried to nurse the tree back to health for years, but the infection had spread into the roots.

Finally, on April 25, 2012, we removed the old tree and replanted a new Valencia pride mango tree. Today, the tree stands tall, even after surviving Hurricane Irma.

In April 2018, we decided to plant another Mango Tree. This time, we planted it near the road so that if people walked or drove by, they could grab a mango.

Planting a fruit tree is good for the environment and economics and marks special moments.

Visit the Arbor Day Foundation. Resources, membership, free trees, and a lot more.

Our Nation's Forests are National Treasures

Homemade Banana Mango Bread

 Homemade Banana Mango Bread

Yield. 1 loaf, about 10 slices
Pan size. 8 1/2- by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 medium bananas, heavily speckled (about 1 1/2 cups mashed)

8 tablespoons vegetable oil

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ripe mango, sliced into chunks

Directions 

1. Center a rack in the oven and heat to 350 degrees F. Use a non-stick spray or margarine and flour a loaf pan.

2. Place on a baking sheet.
3. Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together, set aside. In the bottom of a medium bowl, mash bananas into a chunky paste. Whisk the oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla into the bananas until blended.
4. Switch to a large rubber spatula. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl then add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, stirring gently until they disappear and the batter is smooth. 

5. Stir in mango.

6. Pour batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake 55 to 75 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.

7. After 30 minutes in the oven, check the bread for color. If it looks like it is browning too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.

8. When the bread is done, transfer it, in the pan, to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes. Unmold the bread and place right side up on the rack. Cool completely.

Nutrition Profile
Analysis based on 1 slice

264 Calories (kcal) 

4 Protein (g)

36 Carbohydrates (g)

2 Total Dietary Fiber (g) 

18 Total Sugars (g) 

11 Added Sugar (g) 

12 Fat (g) 

1 Saturated Fat (g)  

37 Cholesterol (mg)  

169 Potassium (mg) 

200 Sodium (mg) 

From Our 2024 Mango Tree to the Table

Every year I look forward to our Mango tree harvest. Family and friends come together to help pick the mangoes.

After gathering the mangoes, I plan for new and old recipes.  My family's favorite is the mango oatmeal muffins.

Nutrition Profile

Mangoes are not only delicious but also contain essential nutrients. The nutritional value of mangoes can vary slightly depending on the variety and ripeness of the fruit, but in general, they are a rich source of Vitamin C, folate, and water.

8-ounce Mango equals 136 Calories, 1g Fat, 34g Carbohydrates, 30g Total Sugars, 2g Protein, 2 mg Sodium, 4g Dietary Fiber.

1/2 cup Mango pieces equals 50 Calories, 12g Carbohydrates, 11g Total Sugars, 1g Protein, 1 mg Sodium,  1g Dietary Fiber.

Recipes

Mango Oatmeal Muffins

Ginger Glazed Salmon with Mango Salsa

Mango Chicken Pasta Salad

Mango Raspberry Yogurt Parfait

Stuffed Cucumber with Chicken Mango Salad
Mango Milkshake
Mango Berry Fruit Salad

Mango Chicken Broccoli with Ginger Dressing

More Ways to Use Mangoes.
1. Top 10 Ways to Use Frozen Mangos. Fruits and Veggies More Matters.
2. Juicy Mango Gelatin Recipe. Janice Bissex, MS, RDN, and Elizabeth Weiss, MS, RD. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Until Next Season

2024 Mango Season

The time has come to harvest our mango tree. This year, I was joined by my sister, great-nephew, and two dear friends, making the experience even more enjoyable. It's truly a special time of year for me as I revel in the joy of harvesting and delve into the excitement of exploring new recipes featuring these delicious fruits. 

Below, I feature a Mango Oatmeal Muffin. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast on the go, a delightful afternoon snack, or a sweet treat after dinner, the Mango Oatmeal Muffin will captivate your taste buds. Its amazing flavor and texture make it an irresistible choice for mango enthusiasts and muffin lovers alike.

Mango Oatmeal Muffins

Serves:12

Ingredients:
1.5 cups mango or frozen mango, thawed
¼ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
½ cup canola oil
1.5 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup oats
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.

2. Whisk together two eggs, brown sugar, and oil in a medium bowl.

3. Next, add softened mango and mash with a fork to combine with wet ingredients.

4. In a separate bowl, stir all dry ingredients (flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt).

5. Then, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir to combine, forming a batter.

6. Fill non-stick muffin tins 2/3 full with batter.

7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Use a toothpick to insert into the muffin to check doneness; if the toothpick comes out clean, they’re ready.

Nutrition Information.
Calories (kcal)           182
Protein (g)                  4
Carbohydrates (g)      19
Total Dietary Fiber (g) 3
Total Sugars (g)          6
Added Sugar (g)         3
Fat (g)                        11
Saturated Fat (g)         1
Cholesterol (mg)         31
Calcium (mg)              72
Magnesium (mg)         39
Phosphorus (mg)         71
Potassium (mg)          115
Sodium (mg)              165

Strawberry Mango Parfait

Our mango harvest is complete and the fun part begins. Creating a wonderful diversity of recipes. Today's food celebration is a Strawberry Parfait. 

The combination of Strawberries and Mangoes
is a summer delight.

Add some low-fat vanilla yogurt and you have a 
Strawberry Mango Parfait.
A refreshing summer treat.

Ingredients per Serving.
1/3 cup Strawberries, sliced
1/3 cup Mango, fresh, diced
1/3 cup Low-fat Vanilla Yogurt

Layer the ingredients or combine and Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts
Analysis per Serving
Calories (kcal)           118
Protein (g)                   5
Carbohydrates (g)       23
Total Dietary Fiber (g)  2
Total Sugars (g)           21
Added Sugar (g)          6
Fat (g)                          1
Saturated Fat (g)         1
Cholesterol (mg)          4
Calcium (mg)              153
Sodium (mg)                55

Mango: From Our Mango Tree to the Table

Nutrition Profile

Recipes
 Mango, Tomato, and Green Onion Salad

Ingredients

1/3 cup Mango

1/2 cup Tomato, diced

2 Tbsp Green Onions

Nutrition Information

National Mango Month - From Our Mango Tree to the Table

Nutrition Profile

Recipes
 Mango, Tomato, and Green Onion Salad

Ingredients

1/3 cup Mango

1/2 cup Tomato, diced

2 Tbsp Green Onions

Nutrition Information

From Our Garden: Pasta, Mango and Green Bell Pepper with Ginger Thyme Dressing

Recipe: Pasta, Mango and Green Bell Pepper  
with a Ginger Dressing 

The last mango of the season. The tree produced 82 mangoes this year. We met our neighbors who came by to pick fruit from the tree. We made 6 Banana Mango Breads and 60 Muffins. Family and friends enjoyed these sweet and juicy mangoes. 

With this last mango, I wanted to make something different. There were two bell peppers ready for picking. What would blend well with this combination?

•     Pasta - hot or cold
•     Thyme from the garden
•     Ginger dressing

From Our Garden:
Pasta, Mango and Green Bell Pepper with
Ginger Thyme Dressing
Serves 3

Ingredients
3 cup Pasta, cooked
3/4 cup Mango, diced
1/2 cup Green Bell Pepper, sliced

Ginger-Thyme Dressing (Serving size: 2 Tablespoon)
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce, low sodium
1.5 tablespoon grated ginger root
1 teaspoon brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1/8 tsp white pepper

Directions

1. Prepare pasta, mango, and peppers. Place in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
2. Dressing. Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl. Drizzle over pasta. 
3. Serve Hot or Cold.

Nutrition Facts

Ginger Thyme Dressing

Serving size. 2 Tbsp

Calories (kcal)             37

Protein (g)                   1

Carbohydrates (g)       2

Total Dietary Fiber (g) 0

Total Sugars (g)          1

Added Sugar (g)         1

Fat (g)                         3

Saturated Fat (g)        0

Cholesterol (mg)         0

Sodium (mg)              193

Nutrition Facts

Serving size.

1.25 cup Pasta, Mango and Green Bell Pepper with

2 Tbsp Ginger Thyme Dressing 

Calories (kcal)             249

Protein (g)                   8

Carbohydrates (g)       46

Total Dietary Fiber (g)  7

Total Sugars (g)           8

Added Sugar (g)          1

Fat (g)                          5

Saturated Fat (g)         0

Cholesterol (mg)          0

Sodium (mg)              199

Choosing foods from your garden makes the meal special and tastes better.