Of course, your favorite cheese served with fresh grapes or other fruits is always
a choice to "beat the heat!"

 

Celebrate the Holiday With
Fine Food & Friends

by: Bobby McDonald

 

It's summertime and the weather is hot, but the Fourth of July holiday rolls around for a wonderful time to spend with family and friends. The last thing most people want to do is spend their time in a hot kitchen cooking. Even grilling outside can be hot. But, there is an answer, and that is taking advantage of the many fresh produce venues available, that share the bounty of the summer crops in both this region and others around the country. Your produce department at your local grocer or the local roadside stand is the perfect solution to your cooking and entertaining for the holiday.

 

Try the following "cool" recipes that take advantage of some of the fresh produce available and enjoy more time spent relaxing with family and friends:

 

Strawberry Salsa

1 1/2 cup sliced, fresh strawberries

1 1/2 cups chopped, sweet red pepper
1 cup chopped green pepper

1 cup chopped and seeded tomato

1/4 cup chopped Anaheim pepper

2 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons honey

2 tablespoons lemon juice

In a large bowl, combine first nine ingredients. In a small
bowl, combine the honey and lemon juice; gently stir the honey
mixture into the strawberry mixture. Cover and refrigerate for
at least four hours to allow the flavors to blend.

Serve with tortilla chips, or as a side dish to fish or chicken
dishes.

 

 

Watermelon Salad

Salad 6 cups mixed field greens 1/2 cup thinly-sliced red onion 1/2 cup carrot curls (or shreds) 1/4 cup diced, toasted macadamia nuts 1/2 cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese seedless watermelon Raspberry Vinaigrette 1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam 1/4 cup strawberry purée (fresh or frozen) 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1-1/4 cups salad oil (canola or vegetable) salt and pepper to taste In a small bowl, whisk all ingredients. Set aside. Yield: 2 -1/4 cups.

Preparation

Salad Greens Toss greens in large bowl with just enough raspberry vinaigrette to coat the greens. (Store leftover vinaigrette in refrigerator.) Divide greens into liberal portions on 4 plates. Garnish greens with gorgonzola cheese, toasted macadamia nuts, red onion & carrot curls. Remove rind from watermelon, cut into wedges and arrange around greens.

 

 

Chocolate Crustini with
Sea Salt Crystals

sliced baguettes

bittersweet chocolate, melted

olive oil

Sea salt crystals

Cut the baguettes into bite sized pieces, and soak in

olive oil. Toast in the toaster or on the grill. Melt the bittersweet
chocolate and pour a portion on each
baguette and top with Sea salt crystals.

Accompany these morsels with fresh sliced strawberries, grapes,
or any bite-sized pieces of fresh fruit.

This recipe offers a unique and different taste as a perfect ending
to a summertime meal!

 

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