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by Silvia Violet
July 2006 Summer is in full swing so I'm going to share some cool salad and dessert recipes that make the perfect accents for a light summer meal.
Watermelon Feta Salad
In a large bowl, combine watermelon, lime juice, and salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Divide among plates lined with lettuce leaves. Top with cheese and basil. |
Cucumber Dill Salad
A variation of this salad is eaten by most ethnic groups in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Some use sour cream, some use yogurt. Sometimes the cucumbers are pureed instead of sliced. But the basic ingredients of cucumber and yogurt are the same. The Greek version is called Tzatziki.
1 large cucumber (seedless ones work best because they are less watery), peeled and
sliced thinly
1 cup yogurt (more or less depending on how thin you'd like it)
1T fresh dill, chopped
salt and pepper
Place cucumber slices in a bowl. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Add yogurt and dill and stir to combine.
Amaretto Berry Parfait
3 cups Angel Food cake cubed
1.5 cups blueberries
3 cups sliced strawberries
2T amaretto
2 cups whipped cream or cool whip
1) Combine blueberries, strawberries, and amaretto. Let stand 10 minutes.
2) Divide 1/3 berry mixture into 4 parfait glasses (you can use large wine glasses). Top with 1/2 of the whipped cream then 1/2 of the cake cubes. Repeat layers then top with the last 1/3 of the berries.
3) Cover and chill for 2 hours.
Raspberry Fluff Dessert
1 3 oz package raspberry gelatin
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup ice
fresh or frozen raspberries
Put gelatin in blender and add boiling water.** Blend until gelatin is dissolved. Keep blender running and slowly add ice. Blend for 1 minute or until the container feels cool.
Fill chilled dessert dishes with fresh or frozen raspberries, and pour gelatin mixture over the berries. You can garnish the top with a few raspberries and a sprig of fresh mint.
**When putting hot liquid in the blender, it is best to take out the center of the lid and cover it with a towel while blending.
Are there other summer treats you're hoping to find a good recipe for? If so, email me at silviaviolet@gmail.com and let me know. I'll see how many I can include in my August column. I'm also happy to hear any other feedback you have about Passionate Kitchen.