mangoes & blackberries

we love elaborate breakfasts as much as the next person - poached eggs, a good corned beef hash, stacks of pancakes dripping in buttery syrup, omelets with all the fixings. but few things come close to the simple satisfaction of great bread perfectly toasted, spread with a little butter and your favorite jam. we've made preserves before here and here, but this is our latest experiment in slow simmered fruit and sugar - mangoes, blackberries and vanilla bean. it's so wonderful on toast that you'll have a hard time only eating one or two slices and it's equally as delicious on pork chops or roasted chicken.

Mango Blackberry Preserves

makes about 3 cups

3 ripe mangoes, peeled & diced

1 pint blackberries, washed

1 vanilla bean, split and scraped

1 cup granulated sugar

place all ingredients in a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat. reduce to a simmer and cook 1 hour or until fruit is broken down and slightly thickened. add a little water if mixture becomes too thick and/or a little more sugar to taste. if necessary, mash slightly with a potato masher or back of a wooden spoon. transfer to glass jars for canning or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. enjoy!