Mango

For snacking, try this tropical topper with Hawaiian lavash crackers, or serve over grilled chicken.

This recipe was created to accompany Grilled Citrus Salmon . Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Cumin, chili powder, garlic and fresh lime juice are combine in the easy-to-make spice paste. It adds lots of flavor to the beef in this recipe, but can also be used on chicken, pork, shrimp or firm fish like halibut, swordfish and shark.

Spicy and sweet, this unusual salad would be ideal with grilled chicken or fish.

Chewy crusts are filled with a sweet-tart lime curd and topped with sliced mangoes.

The twist to these sundaes is a simple ginger-flavored sauce sparked with lime. It can be made ahead and rewarmed before you assemble the sundaes.

Steamed chayote squash and white rice cooked with one-fourth cup cream of coconut added to the water are fitting inside dishes. Buy individual tartlets to top off the menu.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The best smoothies are made with very ripe fruit. Mango, pineapple and banana team up with light coconut milk in this one.

The leftover syrup from the lychees makes a delicious sweetener for iced tea. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 30 min

At the ranch, Lisa Ahier makes this salsa with and without avocado. At Gourmet, we liked it with.

Tender banana cake, Cream Cheese Frosting and Mango Curd (see recipes) stack up to one impressive dessert.

Putting this moist pudding under the broiler for a few minutes allows the brown sugar topping to melt into a sweet syrup.

The word chutney comes from the Hindustani chatni, which means "strong spices." The sweet juiciness of golden pineapples — much more intensely flavored than ordinary pineapples — balances the spices with the lusciousness that only tropical foods possess. But you can substitute regular pineapple if you cannot find the golden variety, and the chutney will still be complementary. Serve it with Jerked Pork Chops or any grilled meat.

A quick, colorful and low-cal dessert. What else could you ask for?

Pureed fresh mango gives this cheesecake a light and soft texture and subtle tropical fruit flavor.