RECIPE: Star Fruit & Mango Dessert

In my ongoing quest to satisfy my sweet tooth while on the Body Chemistry Diet, I ran across a recipe for a star fruit (carambola) dessert.  I never have all of the exotic ingredients these recipes called for, but I happened to have the big three: star fruit, mango, and coconut milk.

Star fruit are a strange and wonderful invention.  They are sharp and tangy in flavor, not to mention visually distinctive.  I have wanted to try one for a very long time, and when I saw them listed on the "safe" foods on our little adventure, I splurged and picked up two.  Their tangy-ness is the perfect complement to the rich thick sweetness of the mango and the creaminess of the coconut milk.  I cannot recommend this dish to you highly enough for a late-night fruit binge, or if you're looking to try something new.

INGREDIENTS

2 fresh star fruit
1 cup orange juice OR 3 tablespoons lime juice
1 medium-sized fresh mango
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 to 1/2 cup coconut milk

DIRECTIONS

A ripe star fruit will be a nice bright yellow color, with very slight brown ridges.  To prepare the fruit, slice off the end originally attached to the plant (it will be darker than the other end), and then use a sharp knife to pare the brown off of the ridges.  Then, slice the star fruit into thin cross sections, taking care to remove the seeds.

Place the star fruit slices into a pan and add the juice, keeping the burner on high until it boils and then turning it down to medium.  Cook for 10 or so minutes, or until the fruit flesh is tender enough to cut with a spoon, and lightly browned on both sides.  As you remove the star fruit from the stove, stir in the honey.

Slice your mango small or puree it, depending on what mood strikes you, and then add it to the warm star fruit and mix well.  Divide the fruit between serving bowls (or only one--this dish is too delicious to share) and drizzle lightly with the coconut milk and enjoy.