One bite of the Baked Bekti with Pan Fried Mango was all it took. To be specific one bite of that pan fried mango and my reservations about cooking Mango were forever dispelled! It is rare for anything to stun me – but I kid you not – this did.

The caramelized mango wedges on my plate were probably in contact with a hot surface for mere seconds but that small application of heat had served to enhance the intrinsic, luscious fragrant sensuousness of this fruit.

I cooked mangoes in a myriad ways last year and am really looking forward to repeating some of my favourites this year. Try one or all of them for a mango themed meal…

In the photograph: Mango wedges with stick rice, a Thai dish

Photograph: stock.xchang