We first tried these tacos in a particularly bright period between lockdowns. It was a bright period literally – sunny and warm; and it was bright too, from the point of view of the soul – our close family was with us after a long absence, our business and everyone in it still surviving.
But we don’t make this dish as often as we do now just because of its happy associations. As the Chief Taster comments, “it’s a bit different, it’s quick to do, it tastes wonderful…”.
It makes an excellent lunch.
For a sort of salady version of this try La Salade 632, Mango and Prawn Salad.
Chief taster’s tacos filled with mangos, prawns and other goodies
Serves – 4
Ingredients
- 1 pack of taco wraps – containing a minimum of 8 wraps
- 300g/10 oz cooked prawns, minus head, defrosted if frozen
- 77g/3 oz lardons (or you could use a little mild chorizo)
- Olive oil for frying
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 limes, juice and zest
- 200g/7 oz/ two medium mangoes
- 1 small bunch coriander
- 120 ml/½ cup mayonnaise, NB, this is a minimum quantity, you may need a bit more
- 2 baby gem or a bag of rocket
- Urfa pepper flakes
Instructions
- Begin by frying the lardons gently in some olive oil.
- Cut the garlic in two vertically… don’t bother to peel etc, and throw in pan with the lardons.
- Add the prawns. Mix. Continue to heat until the lardons, or chorizo, are cooked through and the prawns are warmed through.
- While you are doing this, peel the mango and cut into cubes. Go here for a video of a quick way to do this.
- Add the mango flesh to a medium-sized mixing or salad (if you are putting it on the table) bowl. Add the lime juice and zest, and the mayonnaise. Snip over the coriander.
- Shred the baby gem or rocket, and add.
- Take our the garlic from the frying pan and throw it away. Add the contents of the pan to the mixing bowl. Add a pinch of Urfa pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- Warm the tacos as per the packet instructions – I think putting them in the microwave is quickest.
- You can now either put the bowl on the table together with the tacos, and invite people to help themselves and fill their own tacos, or you can do it for them.
Music to listen to as you make this
It has to be Underneath The Mango Tree, sung in the early James Bond film, Dr No.
