In many kamaaina homes, a chicken or shrimp curry was the dish to serve special guests. A wide selection of condiments would be placed on the buffet to accentuate the curry: sweet and tart mango chutney, green onions, coconut, peanuts, macadamia nuts and raisins, among many offerings.
Judy Pietsch of East Honolulu has captured the flavors of that favorite dinner in her easy-to-make dip.
The dip is simply made of a combination of softened cream cheese with your favorite curry powder and a tablespoon of mango chutney liquid.
It’s best chilled overnight for the flavors to develop. Pietsch molds the dip into the shape of a bowl or tray, then serves it the next day with mango chutney, minced for easy spreading. Colors and crunch are added with garnishes of toasted coconut, chopped macadamia nuts and green onions.
The combination is addictive, as the curry powder brings out the sweetness of the mangoes and spices in the chutney.
Hmm. Maybe bacon bits and chopped boiled eggs could be toppings too?
Served with crackers, this dip will become an easy-kine, popular offering for your friends.
CURRY AND MANGO CHUTNEY DIP
By Judy Pietsch
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 pint mango chutney, divided
- >> Optional toppings:
- 2 tablespoons chopped macadamia nuts
- 2 tablespoons toasted coconut
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Set out cream cheese to soften at room temperature at least 1 hour.
Stir in curry powder and 1 tablespoon liquid from the chutney. Stir well so there are no streaks.
Line a bowl or tray with plastic wrap and fill with cream cheese mixture, pressing firmly in place. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
To serve: Unwrap dip from plastic, turn over onto a plate. Mince mango chutney and spoon over dip. Garnish with macadamia nuts, coconut and green onions. Serve at room temperature with crackers.
Approximate nutritional information, per 2 tablespoon serving (not including optional ingredients or crackers): 70 calories, 2 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 350 mg sodium, 12 g sugar, 1 g protein, no carbohydrate or fiber.
”Easy Kine” features simple dishes that start with commercially prepared ingredients. Lynette Lo Tom is excited to hear your tried-and-true suggestions. Contact her at 275-3004, email lynette@brightlightcookery.com or via instagram at brightlightcookery. Nutritional analysis by Joannie Dobbs, Ph.D., C.N.S.
