Mango Gazpacho

SERVES 6

The bold flavors of fresh mango, lime juice and ginger meld into a refreshing cold soup thats equally delicious as a fruity first courseor an unusual dessert.

3 mangoes, peeled, pitted and cubed
2 cups mango nectar
1 ½ cups light coconut milk
Juice of 2 limes, or more to taste
3 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
¼ cup brown sugar, or more to taste
Pinch salt
1 cup puffed rice cereal for garnish
¼ cup julienned fresh mint leaves for garnish
½ cup dried tropical fruit mix for garnish, optional

Put mangoes, mango nectar and 1/2 cup coconut milk into food processor or blender, and purée until semismooth. Add remaining 1 cup coconut milk, lime juice, ginger, brown sugar and salt, and process again. Chill at least 1 hour.
To serve, pour into individual bowls, and garnish with puffed rice, mint leaves and tropical fruit mix, if using.

July 2005