Waiting for Mango

Sunday, July 7, 2013



This week, Andrew and I saw Waiting For Godot at the Stratford Festival with our friends Trish and Cliff.  We're fortunate to live fairly close to Stratford, Ontario, and I try to make it to the festival twice  each summer.  In the past, I've seen shows both deep (Hamlet, King Lear) and light (The Pirates of Penzance); this year we saw one of each, the other being Blithe Spirit.

According to the program notes, the play was informed by Samuel Beckett's wartime experiences in France, where he was a member of the Resistance and, like Vladimir and Estragon, slept in ditches and survived on scavenged turnips.  An early critic described Godot as being "a play where nothing happens, twice".  The combination of humour (sometimes slapstick) and pathos is deeply moving, and says more about human nature than almost any other work of literature I've read.  I can't help but think it's as timely now as the day it was written.  As Allan Pero writes, "(t)he disturbing, almost tragic element of the play ... occurs not because it is so alien to us, but because it is all too familiar."

I loved the show, partly because it’s a great production, and partly because I’d been anticipating it for so long.  Waiting for Godot is a classic that I read in university, and that I’ve wanted to see ever since.  (I guess it’s fitting that it took me so long, although it would be even more appropriate if I’d never seen it.)


I didn’t wait thirty years to make this crumble – once I saw it, I knew I had to try it.  With mangoes and raspberries at their seasonal peaks, it’s the perfect time of year to make it.  The crumble is so perfect, even Andrew – who doesn’t like mangoes at all, and tells me so every summer when I load up the kitchen with them – succumbed quite happily to its charms. 




“Estragon: I can’t go on like this.
Vladimir: That’s what you think.”

- Samual Beckett, Waiting for Godot

Mango Raspberry Crumble
(adapted from Martha Stewart)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup all purpose flour (first amount)
1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of salt
1/4 cup rolled oats
5 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 mangoes
3/4 pint raspberries
1 Tbsp all purpose flour (second amount)
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and oats.  Mix on low for 30 seconds, then add butter and mix until clumps form, 3 to 4 minutes.  Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Peel mangoes and cut flesh into 1-inch chunks.  Add raspberries.  Add remaining 1 Tbsp flour, granulated sugar and lime juice; toss gently to combine.

Transfer fruit to a shallow 1 1/2 quart (1.5 liter) baking dish.  Distribute topping evenly over fruit.  Bake until topping is golden brown and juices bubble, about 35 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool slightly.

35 comments:

Valerie Gamine said...

Ever since reading Waiting for Godot, I have wanted to see the play - especially after Allan Pero's powerful quote. (You're so lucky to live near Stratford!) Also, you're super-lucky too have this yummy crumble on hand!!

Gloria Baker said...

i adore this recipe Beth because I love mangos and crumbles this sounds heavenly to me! I bookmarked:)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Gosh, I haven't seen that play in decades! It's a good one. And this crumble is a good one too! Of course I've never met a crumble (or crisp!) I didn't like. ;-) Love mango - this looks excellent.

Velva said...

What a great way to spend a summer day and to finish it up with this crumble. Awesome.


Velva

Vicki Bensinger said...

I love that you are always going to plays or taking your children. We never do that and I'm not sure why.

I love brumbles or crumbles but have never had one with mangoes and raspberries, I'm sure that's heavenly. I really am going to have to get tickets for a play soon.

Bonnie said...

Oh the crumble does look delicious. When visiting Trinity College Library in Dublin last year I had the chance to view a handwritten piece from "Waiting for Godot. I am always awed by seeing a great writer's handwritten manuscripts. The theater is a favorite place for me. Our season just ended and I am anxiously awaiting September. Enjoy your Sunday! Bonnie

Claudia said...

My raspberries will be in next week and in abundance - this will get made. Paul ad I have promised ourselves a vacation in Canada to see the festival!

Beth said...

Wonderful, Claudia! I know you'll love it!

lisa is cooking said...

It's been far too long since I've made it out to see a play. The festival sounds like fun! And, I'd love to come home to this crumble. What a great summer treat.

Anonymous said...

I don't think I've had mangoes and raspberries together - what a great-sounding combo.

I read Waiting for Godot so many years ago and barely remember it. Maybe it's time to take another look at it.

amy (fearless homemaker) said...

I've had a ton of success with Martha Stewart recipes so I'm not surprised that this one is wonderful, too. It certainly looks and sounds amazing - YUM!

Unknown said...

Mangos and raspberries, what a lovely combination, the colors, the textures, the flavors, YUM!

Catherine said...

Dear Beth, I am glad that you enjoyed the festival. It sounds like such good fun to see these classics.
The crumble is perfection with these delicious fruits. I don't think anyone could resist such a crumble.
Blessings dear. Catherine xo

Barbara said...

Beautiful, Beth. I do love fruit crumbles...but often wonder if it's the crumble part I like best!
:)

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I love crumbles, but have never thought of adding mangoes. Yours has inspired me, Beth...it looks terrific!

Juliana said...

I never thought in mixing mango and raspberries...looks delicious and so pretty, the combination of the vivid yellow and red.
Thanks for sharing this recipe Beth and have a great week ahead :D

Unknown said...

I made bread with mangoes and loved it so I know your mango raspberry crumble would be one of my favorites-time for another mango dessert in my life!

Katerina said...

I've seen this play many, many years ago and you made me think that I have almost forgotten about it! If they play it again, I will go and see it to refresh my memory! The crumble with the mango looks so tasty and delicious Beth!

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Beth, what a delightful combination of fruit for your delicious crumble - love all those easy summer dessert recipes that make the most of summer´s best fruit! Crumbles always taste wonderful - I should make one very soon.
Have a lovely Tuesday!

nancy at good food matters said...

Waiting for Godot is timeless; I read the play in high school, and first saw it as a PBS television production in the late '70s, filmed in the California desert. It was an amazing piece. Thanks for the reminder.

Mangos and raspberries--yum!

Belinda said...

Mangoes are so worth the wait!!

Sue said...

Hand me a fork, please, I'm ready to dig in! So delicious, Beth!

grace said...

i've never tasted fresh mango! i'm not sure what i'm waiting for, as i'm sure it'd become a favorite. this is a lovely crumble, beth. :)

Anonymous said...

Yum! Sounds delicious with mango.

Julie said...

How interesting you never see mango in a crumble! Hope you're having a wonderful week.

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

Mango and crumble is such a perfect summery combination :D

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Joanne said...

I've never seen waiting for godot...but I know for SURE i can't wait to make this! Mango is my favorite.

Stina said...

I bought a bunch of mangoes last week, but I love eating the raw. Soooo yummy! (when they're ripe!!!)

Cooking Quidnunc said...

Oh my mango and raspberry together is my kind of dish, love the tropical flavour.

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

This looks wonderful. The way mangoes and raspberries disappear in our house, I don't know if I would ever be able to make it though ;-)

Kalyan Panja said...

just mouthwatering....looks delicious!

Kathy said...

Wow Beth, Love mangos and this is just a wonderfully delicious looking way to use them. Mouthwatering! Have a great weekend!

Amy said...

This Mango Raspberry Crumble is gorgeous. I love the flavor and colors. :) can't wait to give this a try and I'm glad it didn't take you 30 yrs to try and share this. Hope you're having a great weekend so far. Take care.

Unknown said...

Crisps and crumbles are always a welcome dessert! So easy to make and kind of healthy since they're full of fruit - right?

Paula Montenegro said...

I never heard of that show, but count me in with this crumble! We get mangoes almost year round here, but I never paired them with raspberries. So delicious looking Beth!

Post a Comment