Watermelon with Fresh Mint & Lime Syrup
Try this sweet-tart syrup with your favorite summer melon.
Ingredients:
1 watermelon
½ cup sugar
¼ cup thinly sliced mint leaves
Grated zest and juice of 1 lime
Method:
1. Stir the sugar, 2 tablespoons of water, lime zest, and 1½ tablespoons of the lime juice in a small heavy saucepan over high heat until the sugar dissolves and the syrup comes to a boil. Let the syrup cool completely, and then refrigerate it until cold.
2. Strain the chilled syrup into a small bowl and stir in the mint. Allow the mint to infuse into the syrup for at least 5 minutes.
3. Set the melon on a work surface and with a sharp knife trim away the rind and cut the melon into 2-inch chunks. Transfer melon to a large serving platter and pour the cold syrup over the melon, and serve.
Cucumber Melon Salad with Feta
A true homage to summer, this salad from The Splendid Table is cool, crisp and juicy.
Ingredients:
2 medium cucumbers, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1½ cups ripe summer melon, seeded and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
¼ cup mint leaves, torn
1 heaping tablespoon finely-chopped scallion tops
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon high-quality olive oil
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Sprinkle the cucumber with salt, roll up the pieces in a double thickness of paper towel and let rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Unwrap and pat dry.
2. Rub a serving bowl with the garlic. Add the cucumber, melon, mint, scallions, vinegar and 1 tablespoon of oil. Gently combine. Season to taste with more oil or vinegar, salt and pepper.
3. Top with the crumbled cheese and eat immediately.
Summer Splendor Recipes
The Italian summer calls to mind visions of beautiful wine, fresh creamy cheeses, and garden-fresh produce simply and beautifully prepared. Hence, this week’s box captures the flavors of summer by way of Italy with a bounty of produce that includes heirloom tomatoes, Italian eggplant, fennel, and zucchini, plus Skagit River Ranch Italian sausage and fresh fior di latte mozzarella-style cheese from Ferndale Farmstead Creamery. Also included for this relaxed, refreshing spread: Italian Rustica bread, farm-fresh eggs, ripe yellow peaches, and fragrant, garden-grown herbs. Mangia!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Fresh Peach Caprese
Summer perfection on a plate!
Roasted Ratatouille Toasts
A delightful spin on the classic stew, this time slathered on toasted Italian Rustica bread as a starter!
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Basil-Pesto Vinaigrette and Fresh Mozzarella
A beautiful twist on the classic Caprese salad!
Grilled Fennel
A wonderful side for grilled chicken or steak.
Grilled Lemon-Garlic Zucchini
Brushed with a herb-kissed butter mixture, these zucchini slices pair well with grilled chicken, fish or steak.
Peach Cobbler
It’s hard to beat this classic summer dessert—just add vanilla ice cream!
Mojito Cocktail
The ultimate summer refresher, crafted with fresh mint and lime.
Ingredients:
10 fresh mint leaves
½ lime, cut into 4 wedges
2 tablespoons sugar
1½ ounces white rum
½ cup club soda
1 cup ice cubes
Method:
1. Place mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a sturdy glass. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release the mint oils and lime juice. Add 2 more lime wedges and the sugar, and muddle again to release the lime juice. Do not strain the mixture. Fill the glass almost to the top with ice. Pour the rum over the ice, and fill the glass with carbonated water. Stir, taste, and add more sugar if desired. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge. Serves 1.
