…on her birthday.

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I wonder if it is actually possible to adopt royalty. Well, if it isn’t then I would like to give a slaw of mangoes to the Dutch queen on this gracious occasion of her birthday. A bit of tropical meets spring meets western and tastes delicious. And more even.

A bunch of spring flowers…

IMG_4232And cupcakes….

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And rock. As in sweet….of Brighton, also known as Brighton rock.

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Koninginendag day has rolled around again. Streets and beings are resplendent with orange and full of spullen and rommel (stuff and stuff). If you happen to drive down any street today, you’ll find flags, red-white-blue ones and orange ones too, hanging from poles…..in honour of the Queen.

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This year my daughters organized themselves and along with a friend, trawled through their ‘stuff’ and filled a bin bag. Good mother that I am, I went with them to set up shop on a day when anyone can sell anything, anywhere without a license.

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Sales were slow but the learning was good…for them, plus it was warm – the sun continuing the streak of good weather we’ve enjoyed for the last week. 2 hours later, we closed shop and went wandering ourselves. On the lookout for things to buy and eat. If you happen to wander down the street too…into the city centre, you’ll find all manner of things. Beer. Cupcakes. Olieballen. Even burgers and fries. This year and every year.

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Your ears will be regaled with music blaring from live bands and voices as diverse as those from babel, will rise and tower high above the melodies. There’s something for everyone.

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This year I got some great bargains. *Sigh*. Alas though there is no camera to capture the finds, these photos are all from before the event. Soon though ….this will change.

Anyhow, I found a copper pot with a handle and feet,  6 silver ice-cream bowls, 2 beautifully designed coloured ceramic fish-shaped platters, 3 dainty teacups and saucers, a couple of grill stands – perfect substitutes for cooling cakes….and the triumph of the day….ladies and gentlemen – a brand new fresh pasta maker for 4 euros. Yes, I have one already but I knew it would make a perfect gift for a friend who happened to be visiting. And…it did. She is overjoyed and is sitting at this very moment, reading the manual.

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A day of gifts – for you and me….and the queen.

Mango Slaw with Cashews,  Mint and Coriander, adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients
2 firm but ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted and julienned
1 to 1 ¼ pounds Napa cabbage, halved and sliced very thinly
1 red pepper/paprika, julienned
½ red onion, thinly sliced
6 tablespoons of fresh lime juice, from about two limes
¼ cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons oil of your choice
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste (or omit this and whisk in a chile paste to taste)
¼ cup thinly sliced fresh mint leaves
¼ cup sliced coriander leaves
¼ cup toasted cashews, coarsely chopped
How To

Toss mangoes, cabbage, pepper and onion in a large bowl. Whisk lime juice, vinegar, oil, salt and red pepper in a smaller bowl and pour over slaw.

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You can either serve this immediately or leave the flavors to muddle for an hour in the fridge. Before serving, toss with mint and coriander leaves and sprinkle with cashews.

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Deb says: “About your mango: This salad will work with almost any variety or ripeness of mango, whether sour or sweet. Use the one you can get or that you enjoy the most. In general, a fir mish not overly ripe mango (unlike the very ripe, sweet one I used) holds up best but all will be delicious in this salad.”

See other delicious slaw recipes

David Lebovitz cooks up delicious chicken and mango slaw

Marc of No Recipes serves up great looking Cinnamon Tea Smoked Duck with Green Mango Slaw

And Iron stef wraps it up with Chipotle Shrimp Tacos and Jicama (Daikon) -Mango Slaw

IMG_4244I hope the Queen likes it! I most certainly do. Fresh, sweet, spicy and full of textures. Crunch, soft, nutty. Take care.

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