Cantaloupe Salsa

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I love salsas of all kinds. Traditional red salsa, corn salsas, fruit salsas – it would be hard to nail down just one favorite. Last week we had fish tacos, and I went to the store for a few last minute ingredients. The cashier alerted me to the fact that the fresh, local cantaloupes were on sale for $2 BOGO. How could I resist? A true buy one get one too, not that BOGOHO crap!  I’d planned to do my usual mango salsa, but remembered when Shawnda had made a cantaloupe salsa to pair with fish tacos, and thought that would be a fun twist instead.

I pretty much just took my recipe for pico de gallo, and subbed in cantaloupe for tomato. It was fresh and delicious, and perfect with the blackened fish. And of course it wonderful for munching on with tortilla chips too. I know this would be a hit at any potluck or BBQ, as it’s so unique and different. Taking advantage of the last of the summer’s bounty while I still can, I know I’ll be making this a few more times before all the good melons are gone!

Cantaloupe Salsa

2.5 cups cantaloupe, finely diced (about 1/2 large cantaloupe)
1 cup red onion, finely diced
2 jalapenos, seeded and minced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
juice of 1 lime
salt to taste

Combine cantaloupe, red onion, jalapenos, cilantro, and lime juice in a medium bowl. Stir to combine. Season to taste with salt. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Source: inspired by Confections of a Foodie Bride

Garlic-Parsley Fries

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I know, I know – I just shared a recipe for homemade french fries on Friday, but I couldn’t resist sharing this rendition with you guys. My first taste of this wonderful fry flavor fry at Gordon Biersch, a national brewery/restaurant chain. I was blown away by their sheer awesomeness, and immediately went home and tried to re-create them. Several attempts were made, but none of them turned out quite right.

I’d been using olive oil to create the garlic-parsley infusion, which just seemed to make them extra greasy. The next time I tried butter instead. Once I swapped that out, bingo! Right on the money. These fries are drop dead delicious, ya’ll. A pungent bite from the garlic, a hint of lemony-herby goodness from the parsley. Certainly a great side dish, but these stand alone as an appetizer as well. With football season only a few weeks away (can I get an Amen?), I’m going to be looking for fun new munchies to make for my guys during the game. These fries definitely fit the bill!

Garlic-Parsley Fries

1/2 gallon vegetable oil
8 medium Idaho potatoes, peeled
kosher salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut in chunks
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced

Pour the oil into a deep fryer or heavy saucepan to reach halfway up the sides and heat to 350 degrees F, use a deep-fry thermometer to determine this. While the oil is heating, peel the skin off the potatoes and cut them into uniform 1/4-inch sticks; feel free to use a knife, mandoline, or French fry cutter. Dry the potato sticks thoroughly to keep the hot oil from splattering.

Fry the potatoes in batches so the pot isn’t crowded and the oil temperature does not plummet. Cook the French fries for 3 minutes, until soft but not browned. Remove the fries with a long-handled metal strainer and drain on brown paper bags.

To make the parsley butter: combine the butter, parsley, and garlic in a saucepan over medium heat. Swirl the pan around until the butter is completely melted.

Increase the oil temperature to 375 degrees F. Return the par-fried potatoes to the oil and cook a second time for 2 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Drain on fresh brown paper bags then place in a serving bowl. Salt the fries while they’re still hot and pour the parsley butter on top; toss gently to combine.

Source: adapted from Eat This Book by Tyler Florence

Herbed Veggie Dip

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I know it’s kind of lame to post a veggie platter, but I get so many rave reviews on the dip, I thought it was worth sharing. It’s creamy, cool, herby, and delicious. I always make this for pretty much every cookout we have, and because of it’s portability, it’s great to take to a friend’s house for a potluck as well.

I’m sure lots of you folks are planning to do a little get-together in the backyard for Dad, so trash that overpriced store-bough plastic tray nonsense, and make a gorgeous platter yourself. My standard veggies to use are baby carrots, sliced cucumber, broccoli florets (blanch them for a minute), celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, and radishes. If you happen to have any leftovers, it makes for an awesome chopped salad!

I hope everyone has a lovely Father’s Day weekend with plenty of quality family time. We’re hoping to get some boat and beach time in. Haven’t made it out to the sandbar (a little strip of land off the coast only accessible by boat. Mostly locals, and a lot less crowded than Assateague Island beach) yet, had had some boat issues, which were taken care of this week. So, we’re hoping to get out there on Sunday and relax. I feel very blessed to have both a great dad, and a great husband in my life. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Herbed Veggie Dip

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup chopped scallions (about 3), roughly chopped
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh dill, roughly chopped
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Place the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, scallions, parsley, dill, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade.

Pulse 10 to 12 times, until just blended, but not pureed. Serve at room temperature.

Source: Barefoot Contessa at Home by Ina Garten

Homemade Pimento Cheese

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Have you ever had homemade pimento cheese? If not, you haven’t lived. It’s so delicious, but simple and easy. I always have the ingredients for this quick appetizer on hand – it’s a great recipe that can be thrown together quickly for unexpected guests. Which, when you have a kegerator full of homebrew and a pool, happens fairly often in the summertime.

It’s also great in grilled cheese sandwiches, baked as a hot dip, or stuffed inside of a burger before grilling. Be careful though, there is a condition that I’ve come to call “Pimento Cheese-itis” that comes from eating close to a whole batch by yourself. Check yourself before you wreck yourself, ya’ll – and don’t let it happen to you! Keeps in the fridge for a few days, if it makes it that long.

Pimento Cheese

8 oz. extra sharp cheddar, shredded
4 oz. diced pimientos
3 Tbsp Greek yogurt
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1/2 tsp hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp paprika
salt and black pepper

Drain pimentos well.

In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference.

Before serving, refrigerate at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Source: adapted from Pink Parsley