Come Float Away

Today is National Hawaii Day and the day after the 4th of July. While I know the 4th is a big holiday here in America, personally I think people should get the 5th of July off. Why? Unless the 4th falls on a Friday (like this year) or Saturday, today would be a hung-over work day.

Now that I’m retired, I don’t need to worry about such things. But I do watch my guys drag their butts out of bed on the 5th. This is especially true now that we’re living an hour’s drive from extended family. Sometimes it’s as late as midnight before we are home, unpacked and into bed.

As usual, I was in charge of desserts for our get together. I decided to try a few different desserts this year. Call it missing my Mom, I made a Traditional Filipino Dessert that was both refreshing and be something I could share with you for Hawaii Day. It’s tropical.

Happy Day After the 4th. Happy National Hawaii Day. Just all around good wishes for a joyful day, a precious gift from the Lord above.

Mango Float with Fresh Mango Puree

Mango Puree
1 ripe Mango
1-1/2 tablespoons Water
1 Lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 tablespoon Honey, optional

Dice mango and place in a blender. Add water, the juice of a lemon and the vanilla extract. Pulse until desired puree consistency is reached.

Taste mango puree. If necessary sweeten with a little honey. Blend quickly and set aside until ready to use.

Mango Float
1 pint Heavy Cream, chilled
1 smal can Sweetened Condensed Milk, or to taste
1 cup  Mango Puree (above)
1 teaspoon, Vanilla Extract
Honey, to taste
2 large Mangoes, thinly sliced (use soft or tender Mangoes for easier slicing)
1 box Graham Crackers or as needed
Maraschino Cherries, for garnish

In a mixer beat the cream on high-speed until the volume increases and the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes.

Stop the mixer and gently stir in the condensed milk. Add the vanilla extract and mango puree. Taste and add a small amount of Honey if the mangoes are not naturally sweet enough for your tastes.

To Assemble: Place the Graham Crackers on the bottom of a 9 x 13 freezer-safe glass baking dish. Fill in any gaps with smaller pieces of Graham Crackers.

Spread 1/3 of the cream mixture on top of the Graham crackers. Arrange 1/3 of the sliced mangos on top of the cream. Repeat the process twice. For the third layer, add some sliced Mangos or Maraschino Cherries for garnish. If desired sprinkle with a few crushed Graham Crackers.

Once assembled, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the freezer for 2 hours. Remove from freezer and hold in refrigerator until ready to serve.

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Praise the Lord for the Lord is good!