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Archive for the ‘Melon’ Category

It’s National Farmers Market Week – Take the Kids, says Market Lady Susan Pittman

Posted in Melon on August 6, 2013| Leave a Comment »


This is National Farmers Market week – how exciting!!!  What better time to take a little trip to the local market.  If you need recipes check out the following website sohttp://recipefinder.nal.usda.gov/me , for example here is a great recipe to make with your kids.  And why not add some cantaloup from the market – it’s delicious!

Fruit Kabobs with Yogurt Dip

1 cup

watermelon (chunks)

1 cup

pineapple (chunks)

1 cup

grapes, red seedless

1 cup

strawberries (stemmed)

2

kiwi (peeled and cut in quarters)

8

bamboo skewers (6 inches long)

1 cup

yogurt, light strawberry

 Instructions

1. Place fruit chunks on bamboo skewers. Place fruit kabobs on platter.

2. Place light strawberry yogurt in bowl. Serve kabobs with yogurt on the side.

 I think one of the best ways to introduce healthy foods into your children’s diet is to take a trip to the farmers market.  One of the things that kids love is seeing new things and picking out new things.  HavIMG_1592e your child find a new food they have not tried and then let them help you prepare it at home.  My personal experience with kids is the less you do to the food the better they like it.  That is why the above recipe is fun – they can help pick out a melon, help you cut it up (depending on age) and they can put the fruit on the skewer.  

Another idea is to allow your kids to try fresh green beans without even cooking them (wash them first), then let them eat raw or dip into a veggie dip.  Cherry tomatoes are abundant at the market and kids love to eat these as finger foods.  The best way to tempt  kids try new things is for you to try it first.  Kids learn by watching so if they see parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles eating a variety of foods so will they.

 Have fun this weekend and take a trip to the market.

Below – ML Susan made Black Bean Summer Pasta at the Webb City Farmers Market last Saturday.  Watch for the recipe later this week.  It’s perfect for a Farmers Market meal!

Image

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Melon Salad with Thai Basil

Posted in Fruits, In Season, Melon, Peppers, Recipes, Soup & Salad on September 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »


Fresh slices of locally grown watermelon

I’ve got another special treat for everyone today – my Melon Salad with Thai Basil.

This recipe I have prepared at a couple of cooking demonstrations in the last couple of years and it’s always a favorite by consumers.  It highlights two products found in season – jalapeno peppers and melon. Be sure and use a melon baller to bring a touch of class to the salad.

I like to serve this dish on a large platter that I top with arugula- makes the melon look very inviting and hard to resist.

Markets are still going strong with local products- get out this week and visit a market near you.

Melon Salad with Thai Basil
1 large shallot, finely diced
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup cilantro
Juice and zest of 2 limes
1/3 cup Thai basil leaves, if you can’t find this specific basil you could use any variety
¼ cup mint leaves
1 jalapeno chile, finely diced
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 ½ to 2 pounds melon (honeydew, watermelon, cantaloupe), chilled
1 bunch arugula

Put shallot in bowl with lime juice, zest and ¼ teaspoon salt. Chop the herbs and add them to bowl along with the chile, ginger, garlic and oil. Stir and taste for salt.

Halve the melon, remove the seeds and cut into wedges. Slice off the skins, then cut the melon diagonally into bite sizes pieces or into very small cubes, as you prefer.

Pour the dressing over the melon and toss well. Season with pepper. Arrange the greens on small plates and spoon the melon into the center. If the melons are extra sweet, add as extra lime wedge to each plate. Garnish with the purple tipped Thai basil leaves.

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Watermelon and Cucumber Salad Cooking Video

Posted in Fruits, Melon, Recipes, Side Dishes, Soup & Salad on August 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »


Try this Watermelon and Cucumber Salad from The Market Lady, plus get some tips on choosing the right melon.

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Melon and Cucumber Cocktail

Posted in Cucumbers, Desserts, Drinks, Fruits, Melon, Peppers, Recipes on July 29, 2011| 1 Comment »


I’ve had this recipe in my inbox for awhile, waiting for the perfect moment to give it a whirl.

That day presented itself yesterday.  While cooking dinner for my family last night I wrote down the simple ingredients and mixed my own little evening refresher – a Watermelon and Cucumber cocktail.

You can find the original recipe on TheKitchen.com.  If you want to make this a non-alcoholic drink, just switch out the alcohol for some club soda or even 7-Up.  But, below was my variation.

Watermelon-Cucumber Refresher
3 parts tequila
1 part triple sec
1 part (1/2 ounce) watermelon-cucumber-mint juice*
1 part (1/2 ounce) fresh lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a watermelon and/or cucumber slice and/or a sprig of mint.

*Watermelon-Cucumber-Mint Juice
yields one cup

2 parts (I used 2 cups) diced, seeded watermelon flesh
1 part (1 cup) peeled, seeded cucumber
2 sprigs mint (I used 7 leaves)
A couple of pieces of diced jalapenos

Whir all ingredients together in a blender. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Discard pulp.

Another great way to enjoy in the freshness that the farmers market offers!  So, get out today and shop local.

 

 

 

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Headed to the Christian County Farmers Market July 19

Posted in Cucumbers, Events, Fruits, In Season, Market Visits, Melon, Press Releases, Recipes, Side Dishes, Soup & Salad, Vegetables on July 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »


Serving up heirloom tomatoes at the Greater Springfield Farmers Market

The Market Lady, Lane McConnell, will visit the Christian County Farmers Market in Ozark, Mo., Tuesday, July 19.  The Market Lady and video crew will begin at 5:00 p.m., with one cooking demonstration incorporating products from the market and will be interviewing producers and consumers for various other segments.

“I strive to inform folks on the ease of preparing homemade meals for their families through shopping at the market,” said McConnell.  “Consumers can log on to our website or Facebook page to view short videos of interviews with the farmers that grow our food, topics such as food safety, organic, naturally grown and learn how to cook simple meals.”

The purpose of The Market Lady Project is to educate consumers about eating healthy, locally produced food found at their farmers market.

“We are excited to host The Market Lady and crew at the market and hope that consumers will come out to the market to watch the cooking demos,” said Market Master Bard Wilson.  “Lane will also have informational materials about local foods and recipe cards to share.”

Below is one recipe that The Market Lady will be preparing at the market. Be sure and come out to the Christian County Farmers Market on July 19 to meet the Market Lady and video producer Kelsie Young in the parking lot of the Community Center.

Watermelon-Cucumber Salad
Thinly sliced red onion
4 cups watermelon
1 cucumber
Mint leaves
Cashews
¼ cup olive oil
1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Goat cheese or Feta

Soak 1/2 thinly sliced red onion in cold water. Pat dry 4 cups diced watermelon and 1 seeded and sliced cucumber; toss with a handful of thinly sliced mint. Drain the onion, squeeze dry and add to the salad along with some chopped cashews. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and the juice of 1/2 lemon; season with salt and toss. Top with crumbled goat cheese or feta.

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