Uppumanga

The uppumanga that you see in the picture above is the one prepared by my dear amma. I remember the yummy ones my ammachi ( maternal grnadmonther) used to make too...
Making uppumanga is kind of a tradition back home that is followed every year during mango season. Those who have eaten this know what I am talking about :-)

This morning when I spoke to mummy over the phone, mummy said that she has started collecting the mangoes for making uppumanga for this year. I was reminded of the delicious ones that I ate last summer and remembered that I had pictures of the uppumanga that I had at my mom's house during the summer of 2018.  Before I forgot, I made sure I wrote down the recipe from mummy. Here it is...

1. Naattu manga  - wash and pat dry ( Naattu manga are the smaller mangoes)
2. Salt  - as needed
3. Water - Enough to cover the mangoes
4. Boil the water with the salt together and let cool.
5. Once its cooled add it to the mangoes in a Bharani.
6. Temper some red chillies, curry leaves, and uluva podi and once its cooled add it to the Bharani with the mangoes. Mix well and keep container closed for atleast for a month. Enjoy it !!!

Snow Ball / Mexican Wedding Cake

Snow Balls or Mexican Wedding Cakes Recipe:

• 2/3 cup nuts ( pecans, walnuts or cashew nuts)
• 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1/4 cup confectioners sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping:
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

How to make it?

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place rack in center of oven.
2. Place nuts on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes, or until lightly brown and fragrant. Cool. Once the nuts have cooled completely place them, along with 2 tablespoons of the flour from the recipe, into your food processor, fitted with a metal blade, and process until they are finely ground if you like to bite the nuts in between, don't have to make it finely ground.
3. In the bowl of your mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). 
4. Add the vanilla extract. 
5. Add the remaining flour and salt and beat until combined. 
6. Add the crushed /ground nuts. Cover and refrigerate the dough for about one hour or until firm. 
7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F . Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
8. Form small balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for about 15 -17 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies start to brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 5 minutes.
9. Meanwhile, place the 1 cup sifted confectioners sugar in a bowl. Take the still-hot cookies and roll them in the sugar, one at a time. Place on a wire rack to cool. Or you can simply place the confectioner's sugar in a strainer and sift the sugar over the tops of the cookies. Let cool completely before storing.