When I was 19 I had the amazing experience of traveling with my Dad to Jordan for 3 weeks. Most of his family still lives there, and though I’d been once when I was 3- I was incredibly excited to see where my Dad grew up as an adult. The three weeks were a whirlwind of visiting all of my Dad’s siblings and meeting cousins that I barely knew. (64 first cousins on my Dad’s side- crazy right?) They were so kind and welcoming and I loved getting to see their favorite parts of Amman.
Every time we ventured out, and I held the strap in the back-seat for my life (seat belts were quite passé and the driving was always a bit reckless,) my Dad would grab me a bottle of what they called “Manga,” the sweetest and most delicious thick mango juice. I just loved it. Had I ever had mango before this I wonder? Maybe not actually- that’s why I was so obsessed with the stuff . Everyone realized pretty soon that the key to my heart was a bottle of Manga- so I got one from whoever I was with multiple times a day- the best!
Since that trip, my love for anything mango has hardly been a secret. I love it in smoothies, chopped up on frozen yogurt, or just the fruit as is, (if I can ever figure out an efficient way to cut them!) I’ve been wanting to try my hand at mango sorbet for awhile, and after I had the first smooth and creamy bite, I immediately thought of how good they would be inside an ice cream sandwich. A coconut white chocolate chip cookie seemed like the perfect pairing for a tropical themed warm weather treat. I ended up making the delicious Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies using white chocolate chips instead!. I made them small enough that a scoop of sorbet fit right in- creating a truly delicious flavor combo.
I truly hope to make it to the motherland again someday, to see my family and maybe score a bottle of that delicious mango juice, but until then- this creamy sorbet will have to do! :)
- 2 large, ripe mangoes (about 2 lbs.)
- ⅔ cup sugar
- ⅔ cup water
- 4 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tbsp. dark rum*
- Pinch of salt
- 1 batch of Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies (with white chocolate chips!)
- Peel and pit the mangoes. Cut the flesh up into chunks and place them in a blender or food processor with the sugar, water, lime juice, rum and salt. Process the mixture until perfectly smooth with no remaining chunks. Chill thoroughly in the refrigerator (overnight is best,) Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Store in an airtight container in the freezer.
Erika says
Love this.. that combination of Mango, white chocolate and coconut sounds insanely good.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Wow I’m in love. I am the biggest fan of mango sorbet. I love it as an ice cream sandwich!
Elisa @ Insalata di Sillabe says
Never tried mango sorbet…actually I think I’ve never tried mango in my whole life…this looks like the perfect excuse to fix this lack of mine as soon as possible! Thanks for this inspiration – you always have the most genius ideas!
xo, Elisa
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I’m not sure which I like better, the story about traveling to Jordan or the recipe? Maybe if I were eating these IN Jordan it would be best. :) I’ve got similar stories from visiting our family in Italy too, funny how they all track back to food somehow ;)
Claire Gallam says
I love these!!! Two recipes in one!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Oh my goodness, this looks sooo amazing. As for an efficient way to cut mangos – I discovered it last week. The OXO mango pitter! It works wonders, and barely takes off any fruit with the pit.
Audra says
Thanks for the suggestion Rachel- I need to get that!!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Now that’s my kind of cookie sandwich! Awesome flavor pairings, Audra!
Mimi @ Culinary Couture says
Oh, that Manga! I think you might be in luck because a lot of Middle Eastern stores I know sell it, particularly the ones in Brooklyn. Don’t know if it will be EXACTLY the same, but it’s worth a shot :) Also, 64 cousins- total normalcy for us Arabs lol. Me and my mother decided to write out our family tree one day and let’s just say, we needed an Excel spreadsheet! I’m really loving your pictures lately, that first shot is extra beautiful! Looks like it came right out of a magazine :) Have a wonderful weekend!
Audra says
Aw thank you so much Mimi- I’ve been loving experimenting with new things…you are too sweet :)
Mais K. says
I’m Syrian! So excited to find out one of my favorite blogs is Arabic too! I love Amman! Unfortunately, I’d say visit Damascus when you can, but it won’t be the same for a long time! :( Did you enjoy the fresh juice stands there? Did you eat kanafa? If you could get a recipe down for that, I’d love you for life! :)
Audra says
Mais I DID visit Damascus on this trip! My Dad had a brother there so we went for a few days! It was wonderful- except my Dad didn’t warn me about the parsley and I got a bit of food poisoning towards the end. :)
tara says
Oh my god this looks awesome. I LOVE mango sorbet! That is soooo cool you got to go to Jordan! 64 cousins!??! you must’ve gotten a lot of Manga :)
Also, I totally suck at cutting mangoes, but my husband (who works in produce and is a pro at cutting them, blah blah) taught me how: cut around the pit as best you can, basically leaving the pit in a square (but cut close to it, so you get as much of the precious mango!) then cut the mango into little squares and turn pop them out!
Okay maybe I should blog this and take pictures, because this explanation sucks….
Audra says
No Tara I totally get what you’re saying :) Though do a tutorial too- I’ll link to it!
ashley - baker by nature says
I’m just slightly (ie totally) jealous of your trip!
Moving on from that, I am in love with this recipe! Mango is a constant presence in our apartment during Summer, and I know I’ll be making this sorbet ASAP!!!
nessa says
I saw white chocolate and my heart started beating a little faster, lol! I love mango juice!
cassie says
What a great story. And man – 64 cousins! That’s nuts. What a great experience to have. I love everything about these cookies and the sorbet. It’s gorgeous!
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats says
Ooh as soon as I read the title, I was drooling! These are amazing!!
[email protected] says
I love every ingredient here. I’m crazy about mangoes as well, and white chocolate with coconut is always a hit with me. These cookies and sorbet look fantastic!
Wendy says
New flavor and food addictions are one of my favorite parts of travel. You end up missing tastes you hadn’t even imagined a short time before! :) This sorbet sandwich looks refreshing and delicious! It definitely sorbet season!
Tracey says
I just made a mango sherbet last week, I can’t get enough of everything mango-flavored right now :) Wish I thought to throw mine between some cookies because the combination sounds unbeatable!
Daisy [email protected] Flowers Fruit and Fun says
Love sorbet, and the color is so pretty!! Yum!
Colette @ JFF! says
I love the rum in the mango sorbet. Should help keep it creamy….
greedy girl says
yup, i’v been feeling the sorbet itch as well. Its mango season here in Jamaica, might have to scratch :)