Crisp, juicy watermelon is a terrific appetizer, especially if you add savory flavors. Salty feta and creamy tahini made with lime juice and fresh mint rescue watermelon from breakfast status. Continue reading
Watermelon is plenty sweet enough. Notice that watermelon salad recipes add savory elements to offset the sweet factor : feta cheese, tomato, parmesan. One of my favorite pairings is melon and tahini. Although this Sesame Watermelon Salad has a touch of honey, the earthy silkiness of sesame oil and crunch of water chestnuts both add up to savory. Continue reading
Seasonal eating is always preferred, but I confess a fondness for watermelon all year long. Watermelon (and its juice) is available perennially at most grocery stores. The bright pink elixir of juice, mixed into cocktails or mocktails, brings fond memories of balmy summertime. Continue reading
Is it summer yet? The calendar may not agree with my assessment, but in Richmond summer appeared sometime in February, when we passed the 80 degree mark, and in April when we soared into the nineties. A stout refusal to turn on the air conditioning (in April!) got me thinking about ways to cool off in front of a fan on the back deck as I fired up the grill.
The ideal scenario for summer outdoor dining and entertaining may be summed up in several steps. Throw something on the grill. Steam some ears of local corn (or grill them, as in grilled corn and sugar snap pea salad). Toss a simple salad. Serve something chilly for dessert – ice cream, gelato or sorbet.