This special dessert recipe is beautiful to serve, plus easy to make and healthy too! It starts with slices of fresh star fruit (instructions on how to buy and prepare star fruit are included). Star fruit is similar in texture and taste to apples, and while it can be eaten fresh, in this recipe the star fruit slices are lightly cooked and then given a tropical-tasting mango-orange sauce. Topped with a drizzle of coconut milk and a sprinkling of either pomegranate seeds or cherries, this healthy fruit-fresh dessert is completely guilt-free and satisfyingly sweet. It's also gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegan.
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- SERVES 2-4
- 1 fresh ripe star fruit (for more on buying and preparing star fruit, see instructions below)
- 1 cup orange juice, or approx. 2 oranges juiced
- the fruit of 1 fresh ripe mango (for more on mangoes, see below)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (or substitute a natural sweetener of your choice - maple syrup or agave nectar work well)
- up to 1 cup good-quality coconut milk
- optional: a handful of fresh pomegranate seeds or cherries
- optional: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (as a topping)
Preparation:
- Place the star fruit (count out 3 slices per person) in a pot on the stove. Add the orange juice. Stir well and turn heat to high - until juice begins to boil. Then turn down to medium.
- Allow to simmer for 10 minutes, or until star fruit has softened enough to easily cut into with a spoon. Now and then you can gently move the slices around and turn them over so they all get cooked more or less equally. Remove any more brown seeds that may loosen and surface.
- While star fruit is cooking, place the mango fruit in a food processor, mini chopper, or blender. Process or blend until it is smooth and pureed. Set aside.
- When star fruit is nearly done, adding the sugar/sweetener and stir to dissolve. Remove pot from heat.
- Add the mango puree, stirring well to incorporate. Do a taste-test for sweetness, adding more sugar if needed (how sweet it is will depend on the ripeness of the fruit/juice you're using). If it happens to be too sweet for your taste, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice, or a little more orange juice.
- When you're happy with the taste, portion out 3 star fruit slices per bowl with enough sauce to surround the fruit (it should still be warm from the pot). Top each bowl with a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds or cherry pieces. Then drizzle over some coconut milk and serve! This dessert is also excellent when given a final topping of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. ENJOY!
