Endless Poptails: Grilled Mango Smash

 

I’m going to be upfront and set this post up properly: I’m a baker, not a griller. I’m not saying that because I rock heels over flip flops for weekend outings.  Grill’n is just not my thing. As a result I’m the worst kind of griller. I’m always lifting the hood a few too many times and turning the heat up and down too much—I grill with self-doubt.

So for this recipe it wasn’t bravery that stirred me to action. Nope. It wasn’t even the Esquire article about this new breed of female master grillers, that is, until I got to the grilled margarita recipe. Grilled drinks?

Yeah, go ahead, I’ll wait while you grab your tongs.

Here’s what I made after grabbing mine: Grilled Mango Smash.  Think sweet mango grilled to the point when the sugar is sweated to the surface for a dark smoky carmelized flavor. Lighting up that sweetness is the fire from the tomatillo and quietly but confidently nudging its way in is a slight peppery bite from the basil. And finally, lying beneath all that is a layer of that belly-grabbing barbeque flavor. It’s awesomeness on a stick.

Grilled Mango Smash

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs. mango (about 8 normal size mangoes)
• 4 oz tomatillos (about 3-4 tomatillos)
• 1 lime, sliced
• 6 oz orange juice
• 7 large basil leaves
• 6 oz gold rum

Instructions:

1. Heat barbeque unit to medium high. Slice mango into large pieces and place on grill, flesh-side down. Remove husk from tomatillos and rinse off sticky layer. Cut limes into slices. Place tomatillos and limes in a grilling basket and onto grill.  Grill all fruit for about 7-10 minutes or until fruit is browned and slightly charred. Remove from heat and cool to warm.
2. Place basil leaves in orange juice. Using a muddler, smash basil leaves. Strain orange juice into a blender or food processor and then add mango, tomatillos and rum. Process mixture until smooth.
3. Fill popsicle wells and cover with foil.  Cut a tiny hole in the center of each well. Place popsicle stick through the hole. Place in freezer until frozen. To release popsicles, run hot water over outside of mold for 2-3 seconds.

Find 25 kinds of cocktail popsicles in Endless Poptails