Raw Mango Pudding

We keep hearing about how San Francisco summer is damp, cold and generally miserable, but we don't believe it. Since we moved here in September, we've had plenty of beautiful, clear days and the depths of winter were no exception. After years in icy New York and drizzly, gray Paris, it has felt positively spectacular. Yes... we know it's not actually summer yet, so maybe the misery has yet to come. The past few weeks have been full of warm, sunny days that smell like blossoms. The sunbathers are out in Dolores Park, and the line for Bi-Rite Creamery goes around the block yet again. We loooove refreshing ice cream and chilled puddings. But for now, we are craving refreshment and healthy, light dishes.

My favorite snack ever is unsweetened dried mango slices. It's like a natural fruit roll-up, so flavorful and sweet. This raw pudding combines banana, fresh mango and dried mango slices, full of rich, concentrated flavor. The result is a velvety, rich pudding packed with flavor. It's majorly MANGO! Any sliced fresh fruit on top makes this heavenly and healthy dessert even more substantial. It could even be a breakfast or anytime snack that feels like dessert.

Raw Mango Pudding
The frozen banana is really just so that you can eat it immediately without chilling. If you only have fresh bananas, just place the completed pudding in the fridge until cold.
INGREDIENTS:
1 frozen banana
1 fresh mango, peeled and sliced into chunks
about 6 slices unsweetened dried mango, soaked in water until soft
METHOD:
Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor and puree until very smooth and fluffy. If necessary, add a splash or two of the soaking water from the dried mango.

Smooth pudding into bowls with spatula and garnish with fresh seasonal fruit. I used peaches and blackberries.