MELON AND CUCUMBER SALAD

MELON AND CUCUMBER SALAD

Serves 4 to 6.

This classic trio of herbs (relied upon by South American and Asian cooks) brightens salads, sautés and pastas. Here it cools the heat of the jalapeño. Serve this on dark greens or as a side to grilled chicken or pork.

• 2 limes

• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil

• 1 large shallot, finely diced

• 1 c. cilantro leaves

• 1/3 c. mint leaves, cut into 1/8-in. strips

• 1 jalapeño chile, seeded, deveined and diced

• 1 lb. melon, peeled, seeded and cut into 2-in. chunks (cantaloupe, honey dew or crenshaw)

• 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into 2-in. chunks

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Grate the zest (the green rind, not the white pith) and juice the limes into a large bowl and whisk in the vegetable oil. Toss in the shallot, cilantro, basil, mint and jalapeño. Allow to sit a few minutes, then toss in the melon and cucumber.

Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper. Refrigerate until cold before serving.

Nutrition information per serving for 6:

Calories72Fat4 gSodium17 mg

Carbohydrates9 gSaturated fat0 gCalcium36 mg

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1/2 fruit, 1 fat.

MELON SOUP

Serves 6.

This is an easy, fast soup that plays on melon's tropical flavors.

• 3 lb. melon (musk melon, watermelon, or cantaloupe, honey dew or crenshaw), skinned, seeded and cut into chunks

• Grated zest and juice of 1 lime

• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded, deveined and diced

• 2 tbsp. chopped candied ginger

• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish

• 1 to 2 tbsp. chopped fresh mint, plus more for garnish

Directions

In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, purée half of the melon chunks. Finely chop the remaining pieces of melon. Turn the melon purée into a large bowl and add the diced melon and stir in the coconut milk, lime zest and juice, pepper, candied ginger, basil, mint, and salt and pepper to taste.

Refrigerate until cool and serve garnished with chopped basil and mint.

Nutrition information per 1 cup serving:

Carbohydrates20 gSaturated fat11 g Calcium20 mg