MANGO AND GINGER JAM HAND PIES

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MANGO AND GINGER JAM HAND PIES:

 

Summer fruits are really my favorite. I can never get enough of them, and I never know which ones to eat first, and I do not want to miss out any one of them. I really do get overwhelmed with the number and the variety of fruits in the summer because there is so much to do with them. I have so many recipes that I want to tackle, but there is ONLY so much that one can do!

 

Mango is one of my absolute favorite fruits. Growing up I ate a LOT OF mango in the summers. Mangoes typically last for 2 1/2 months in India – in the months of April, May and half of June. I invariably put on a couple of kilograms of weight in the mango season because of the high intake of mangoes morning, noon and night. There are so many varieties of mangoes available in India.

But what I found out after staying here in the US for 20+ years is that there are a large number of varieties here as well. They are exported from Mexico or the nearby tropics.

MANGO AND GINGER JAM HAND PIES

I usually get my mangoes from the Indian store. They have a few different varieties. The one I usually end up getting is Hayden. You have to cut it when it is just ripe, else the taste changes if it is too ripe, and it does not taste right.

 

Mango and ginger is one of my favorite combinations. It reminds of me the times when mom would make Fajeto, or Mango Kadhi. There are 2 ways to make it, with yogurt and without yogurt. I liked both. She would put sooth or ginger powder in it, and it would really taste so earthy and heartwarming. When she would make aam raas or mango juice, to have with our meals, she would add sooth even in the mango raas. It aids in digestion, as the mango raas can be a bit heavy to digest.

 

*MANGO AND GINGER JAM:*

I love making jams, especially in the summer. The fruit is at it’s peak and hence the sweetness in the fruits really comes through especially in homemade jams. Plus you do not have to add as much sugar as the store bought ones.

MANGO AND GINGER JAM HAND PIES

I make a mean mango and ginger jam that has the earthiness of ground ginger in the jam. Ground ginger is more potent than fresh ginger, and gives the jam a wonderful taste.

 

The ingredients in the jam are:

  • Mangoes: I get the mangoes from the Indian store. Asian markets carry good quality mangoes as well, that can be used for the jam.
  • Ground Ginger: I use ground ginger as opposed to fresh ginger, because ground ginger is more potent.
  • Granulated Sugar: I add granulated sugar to make the jam. The sugar is much less than the store bought ones. The key is to always make jam in peak season so that you do not have to add as much sugar to make the jams.
  • Lemon juice: Lemon juice adds a wonderful zing to the jam. Also lemon juice has a high pectin content, which helps to set the jam as well.
  • Lime zest: I add lime zest, because zest is usually more potent than the juice and also it adds a wonderful zing to the jam. Mango and lime are a match made in heaven.
  • Fruit Pectin: I do add a bit of fruit pectin to sort of set the jam. I am looking for a bit of set consistency to make for the hand pies.

MANGO AND GINGER JAM HAND PIES

 

*Important points to remember when making Jam:*

– Always macerate the fruit to bring out the water content from the fruit. Macerating is the process of letting the fruit sit with the sugar, to bring out the water from the fruit.

– When making the jam, even if the content is small, make sure that it fills up only half of the pan that you are using, because you will need room for the jam to foam, while cooking it.

– You know your jam is done, when you see small bubbles on the surface. At that point, do the jam test as mentioned in the method.

– Make sure to stir occasionally since the jam can get stuck to the bottom of the pan. You do not want the jam to burn.

 

This jam is fantastic on toast with some just melted butter. My favorite way to eat jam!

MANGO AND GINGER JAM HAND PIES

 

*MANGO AND GINGER JAM HAND PIES:*

For the hand pies, I use my recipe for pie dough that I have been using for years. It makes for a flaky pie crust, and it also makes for some really flaky af delicious hand pies. The puff up quite nicely in the oven, and create beautiful layers for the hand pies.

 

MANGO AND GINGER JAM HAND PIES

The pie dough is very easy to make. The pie dough is kept in the fridge to let it set, and for the gluten to develop. It also makes it easier for the dough to be rolled out. Always have extra flour on hand to roll out the dough with ease.

 

MANGO AND GINGER JAM HAND PIES

 

I use this Five Wheel Pastry Cutter that helps me cut the dough pretty evenly into equal sized rectangles, to make the hand pies. It also quickens the process. Once the dough is rolled out, you have to be quick with cutting into rectangles, filling with the jam, putting the egg wash, and closing the hand pies, and crimping them with a fork, else the dough becomes difficult to handle, once it is soft. This cutter helps to expedite the process.

 

I always freeze the prepared hand pies in the freezer, to make sure that they firm up and do not spread much in the oven. Also it helps with the flakiness as well, since the butter is cold, and when it hits the hot oven, the butter melts, creating air pockets that helps with the flakiness. I bake them until golden brown and then wait for it to cool down.

MANGO AND GINGER JAM HAND PIES

 

*CARDAMOM ICING:*

The icing is really simple. I simply add a bit of ground cardamom, and a bit of color to the icing. And then mix it all to a smooth consistency. You want it thick but spreadable, so that it forms a nice thick layer on top of the hand pie. I add sprinkles and freeze dried raspberries, for a pop of color on the pretty hand pies.

MANGO AND GINGER JAM HAND PIES

*STORAGE:*

They can be stored outside at room temperature for upto 4 to 5 days. You want to eat them as soon as possible for maximum freshness.

MANGO AND GINGER JAM HAND PIES

*HOW DO I SERVE THEM?*

I pop them into the toaster oven for 1.5 to 2 minutes. They are absolutely delicious warm out of the oven with some cold milk, or even a cup of coffee! And they make for delicious breakfasts for kids in rushed mornings!

 

With back to school coming soon, I highly recommend these hand pies! They will be a winner with your family as they were with mine!

MANGO AND GINGER JAM HAND PIES

Hope you get a chance to make them! If you do, please do not forget to tag #thejamlab on Instagram and/or leave a comment on this blog post!

 

Wishing you all a beautiful last few weeks of summer!

 

XO

Amisha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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