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I am constantly amazed at how animated and talkative people get when you mention food. The mere aroma of certain foods can evoke memories that transport us back to a special place and time. Food can bridge the gap between all ages, races and ethnicities.
Let's face it, the only thing that should ever come between people is a table and some serving bowls.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Prepped And Ready To Go!

Isn't it funny how our fruit consumption increases when someone else has taken the time to do all the work? Prime example, my uncle and I enjoy fresh pink grapefruit segments not the ones that come in a can or jar. Sure, we could purchase the grapefruits and segment them ourselves but it is so much nicer to enjoy the corning glass container full of them that could always be found in my grandmother's refrigerator. My grandmother prepped melons, berries and grapefruit every week and kept them chilled in the fridge ready to be enjoyed at all times.
Sometimes you just hate to work at your food but the rewards are great if you do and even greater when someone else is kind enough to do it for you.
I find I tend to eat more often and automatically healthier by having containers of fruit and veggie's prepped and ready to eat on hand.
I had a friend who would always have a large container filled with assorted melon balls in her fridge. In the heat of summer this was a much appreciated treat after a long day of yard work or just a day of fun in the sun. I am sure if that melon was not in the fridge we would have opted for something less than nutritious. My friend also made this sour cream dressing that went wonderfully with the melon. The dressing will add a few calories but all you really need is about a teaspoonful of dressing per serving for it is quite rich and flavor dense. Feel free to opt out of the dressing and just stick with the melon which is fine and satisfying on its own.

Melon Balls - Use any type of melon

1 whole watermelon
2 whole cantaloupe
1 whole honeydew melon
Juice of half a lemon, lime or orange helps fruit stay fresher longer while adding extra flavor.
Mint sprigs, optional

If you feel that your melon is not sweet enough just add a tablespoon of sugar to the cut up melon and stir in before placing in the fridge.

Scoop balls from melons (for less work you may just cube the melon). Chill and serve with garnish of mint sprigs.

Optional Dressing:

8 ounces of Sour Cream
1 Tablespoon of orange juice concentrate
1 Tablespoon of powdered Sugar
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla

Mix all ingredients together, place in covered container and refrigerate.
One spoonful of this dressing is just enough to make that melon salad extra special.

7 comments:

Rocquie said...

I always look forward to summer fruits. I'll try your dressing, it sounds really good.

Julie said...

Thank you Sage Trifle

~~louise~~ said...

I love when fruit is all prepped and ready. When I was in Idaho visiting the kids just a couple of weeks ago, we did all the prepping as we chatted. It was such fun! I'm sure everything is gone by now, lol.

I had a friend who use to peel grapes. She was constantly dieting and the grapes, sometimes frozen, were just the lift she needed.

Thanks for sharing Julie. That dressing sounds oh so good...

Julie said...

I love frozen grapes, thank you Louise.

Katy ~ said...

Smiles, I am not much into fruit preparation, which is probably why I prefer berries. The dressing sounds so good. I have strawberries in the fridge even now, and the ingredients to make the dressing. I'll have to try this. Sounds so good.

Julie said...

Enjoy Katy!

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