Ramadan 101: Day 25

There's nothing like a fresh fruit cocktail to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit! The early fall is mango season in Egypt, where the succulent varieties of mangoes are so many, that one would think they were indigenous to North Africa. I was surprised when I learned that the first mango plants weren't introduced until the mid 19th century from India. Egypt's legendary ruler, Mohamed Ali, sometimes called the "Father of Modernism", imported the mango trees at the same time he began importing cotton. They quickly became Egypt's most important agricultural crops.

Recipe: From Nile Style: Egyptian Cuisine and Culture

Guava, Mango, and Coconut Cocktail Cocktail bil Gooafa, Manga, wa Jowz Hind Makes 4 Servings Ingredients:

• 1 cup cold mango nectar
• 1 cup cold sweetened coconut milk, well stirred
• 1 cup cold pink guava nectar

Preparation:

1. Place 4 clear glasses in refrigerator and chill for 15 minutes.
3. Pour ¼ cup mango nectar into each glass.
5. Hold a spoon upside down over the top of the mango nectar and pour ¼ cup sweetened coconut milk over the top of it in each glass. (this prevents the coconut milk from mixing with the mango juice).
7. Hold a spoon upside down over the top of the coconut milk and pour ¼ cup of the pink guava nectar over the coconut milk in each glass.

Serve immediately.