Mhaolain's Child, a Renaissance Thinker in a Post-Modern Culture

Watermelon Coolers Beat Summer's Heat

My sweet sister-friend Robin is the hostess with the mostest. Last Saturday, she and her family hosted a birthday celebration dinner party in my honor. Not content merely to serve up her usual delicious fare, Robin scoured the world of recipes to serve foods that I particularly love, like watermelon and cucumber and salmon. As much as I loved the wonderful food and drink, I love even more the thoughtful consideration this dear friend put into creating a menu especially for me.

When we arrived at her home, she offered us these wonderful cucumber-watermelon martinis. They were the perfect antidote for a sizzling Southern summer evening. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

Robin's Watermelon Martinis

5 sprigs of mint

1/4 oz. organic agave nectar

ice

1 1/2 oz. freshly prepared watermelon juice

1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice

2 oz. Effen Cucumber-Vanilla Vodka

Remove leaves from all but one sprig of mint, reserving that sprig for garnish. Place mint leaves and agave nectar in a cocktail shaker and muddle for 15 seconds. Add ice, watermelon juice, lemon juice, and vodka. Shake for 15 seconds. Strain the drink into a chilled martini glass and garnish with the remaining mint sprig.

Delish!

Cool Summer "Soups"

Yesterday, several friends gathered in my shady backyard for a lazy summer celebration of my upcoming birthday. We are all foodies, so the afternoon featured a parade of small plates, including what we teasingly called "cool summer soups." Among these savories was a locally made hummus that I served with chips made from lentils. A marvelous gluten-free cool snack. The second cool soup was one of my own concocting years ago. So easy, it's simply equal parts cooked lentils and prepackaged salsa. My favorite salsa to mix with the lentils is readily available in the refrigerated section at our local grocery stores, like Publix or Kroger. It is made by La Mexicana. I find the Medium Salsa the best, but yesterday I used the Mild Salsa since others in our group have sensitive tummies.

The third offering in the cool soup series was another salsa. Nothing brings cool to a Southern summer day like watermelon, and "Uncle Jon's Watermelon Salsa" is the best recipe I've ever tasted. Available at AllRecipes.com, I offer it below as my own birthday gift to you. Happy Summer, Y'all. Enjoy!

Uncle Jon's Watermelon Salsa

Ingredients:

8 c. cubed seeded watermelon

1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

1/2 large white onion, chopped

2 large jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 c. white wine vinegar

1 tsp. salt

Stir all ingredients in a bowl until evenly mixed. Cover and refrigerate overnight for best flavor.