Mango Mousse

She decides to make him something from mango. ‘He would love it!’ she said to herself. He had always liked her cooking. He never said so but she knew it.

Thinking of the elation when he tastes her special recipe keeps her busy while she meticulously prepares the dish with all the best ingredients in stock. Excitement twinkling in her eyes in intervals.

Mango Mousse
Ripe mangoes, weighing about 4 pounds
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 envelope (tablespoon) unflavored gelatin
2 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup heavy cream

Peel the mangoes, cut the flesh off the seeds, and puree in an electric blender with the lime juice, being careful not to over -blend. There will be 5 cups of puree. Stir in the sugar. Dissolve the gelatin in 1/4 cup hot water, cool, and stir into the mango puree. Beat the egg whites with the salt until they stand in peaks. Whip the cram until it is stiff. Fold the cream into the egg whites, then fold this mixture gently into the mango puree. Pour into a large serving dish, or into individual dishes, and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours, or until set.

They sit next to each other and the candle-light flickers thousands of those similar-yet-untold-stories in their eyes. She looks at him taking a scoop of the 'mango mousse' and anticipates almost like a child who awaits even the most routine with a new hope, every time.

He smiles back.

“Hmmm. That is it or you have something more for me, inside?” saying so, he finishes his mango mousse along with the last of the chocolate flakes that she had earlier sprinkled ‘for that extra bit’ and thoughtfully smiled at. He looks up at her from above the empty plate wondering for her reply.

Her tender profile struggles for some more light from the candle to feel defined once again. She stays stock-still in front of the empty plate for a moment in time.

Then, stands up and walks away.... towards light.

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''Contentment (santosha) is a state of mind by which one lives happily and satisfied in congenial or uncongenial atmosphere.'' - anonymous yogi

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