It’s mango season in Florida, when we see them on trees, at roadside stands, in supermarkets, at farmers markets, and in bags carried by neighbors sharing them with friends, like these beauties I got recently: Those who have trees know that the timing of when to pick them is sort of delicate, because the longer…
Fruit
Grilled Watermelon
When I was very young I had a friend who had some peculiar food preferences. She didn’t like popsicles, pie, corn on the cob, cereal, tomatoes, or anything with pineapple, to name a few. I considered that ‘peculiar’ because, well, I was the kid who ate anything (well, not liver and onions). Consequently, I was…
Strawberries, Black Pepper, Balsamic & Basil
Strawberries with black pepper. If it sounds to you like an odd combo, you’re right. But food scientists tell us it’s a magical combination that actually makes sense. Simply put, black pepper brings out flavor in strawberries, making them extra sweet and more strawberry-y (my term, not the scientists’). And you don’t really taste the…
Star Fruit, Ginger & Lemon Tea
I was planning to post something this week using more of those in-season strawberries, maybe something a little different, like strawberry gazpacho. Sounds good, right? Well, I tossed that aside as chilly temps enveloped Florida and I found myself not only digging through storage boxes for my warm clothes, but also, turning the thermostat to…
Grilled Peaches, Ricotta, Honey & Thyme
Florida’s (short) peach season has come and gone, and I never did get my hands on any local beauties — it seems markets were either sold out or they just didn’t arrive in the volume expected. Alas, I’ll just have to wait until next year. . . But I did get my hands on some…
Poached Strawberries
Strawberry season is in full swing in Florida, which means we get to enjoy fresh berries until late February/early March. You’ll see them at farmer’s markets, roadside stands, farms and festivals and, if I’m nearby, you’ll probably see me buying some because I simply can’t get enough. It also happens to be peak citrus season,…
Grilled Summer Peaches
Summer is all about stone fruits — peaches, plums, apricots, cherries and nectarines. I love them all, but I especially love peaches. To me, there’s nothing better than biting into an in-season peach that’s so ripe the juice runs down your arm and you have to run to the kitchen sink or hang off the…
Fresh Blueberry & Watermelon Salsa
Follow my blog with Bloglovin There are many fruits that work well in sweet AND savory dishes. In the case of blueberries, they can be a little challenging when it comes to the savory side, but all they need is a little creativity. Blueberries can be paired successfully with obvious flavors like lemon and mint,…
Cucumber, Blueberry, Mint & Feta Salad
Warm weather just begs for a cool, refreshing salad, doesn’t it? This one couldn’t be easier, and it’s quite tasty. The combo of crunchy cucumber, sweet/juicy blueberries and refreshing mint alongside salty Feta is a winner. It’s a dish that can quickly be pulled together when you’re heading out the door for a boat ride…
Cantaloupe with Citrus & Mint
Cantaloupe is such a versatile fruit — it can be served with sweet or savory components, and it’s always delicious. When in season, it’s sweet, fragrant and oh-so-delicious. I especially love the smell of it — it always reminds me of those melon flavored Lifesavers — you know, the ones in the tropical blend package?…
Zingy Fruit Salad with Whipped Coconut Cream
Fresh fruit salad is one of those “staples” in the dessert family. It’s easy to prepare, pretty, delicious and always welcomed by your loved ones (well, unless they were hoping for a big, gooey, chocolate cake. . .). While strawberries are still in season, I thought it would be nice to share a recipe for…
Fresh Starfruit, Ginger & Lemon Juice
Carambola (aka starfruit) is a beautiful, star-shaped tropical fruit. Depending on the variety, it can be sweet or sour (the general rule is that the sweet one has thicker flesh and a golden skin color) and it’s lovely when cut cross-wise, especially in salads and garnishes. The flavor is sort of a cross between green…