Prepare a Vibrant Passion Mango Preserve

Perhaps it's because I'm from a temperate climate, but I love tropical fruits. Whether it's pineapple, star fruit, longan or mangosteen, they carry an irresistible exotic allure. My absolute favorite though is passion fruit. Cool name aside, these ugly ducklings may not look like much, but split one open and you'll be greeted by a vibrant orange pulp and jet black seeds that make the fruit look like it came from another planet.

And then there's the fragrance. Refreshing, fruity and floral, passion fruit has an intoxicating perfume that captivates your olfactory senses. The bracing tartness can be a little intense, but that's what makes it so perfect for sweet things like Pavlova.

When they're on sale, I usually pick up a bunch and make a passion fruit syrup, but this time, I also had some very ripe mangoes on hand and decided to make a preserve. Because the mangoes are so sweet, you only need a bit of additional sugar, and adding a vanilla bean takes this simple preserve to another level. I like leaving the crunchy seeds in, but, if you prefer a smoother texture, just pass the finished preserves through a sieve to remove the seeds.

As for what to do with it, this was amazing on scones, but they'd be equally good on pancakes, crepes, yogurt or ice cream, and I can even imagine using it in a sauce for a savory dish.