Watermelon salad

In the summer everyone wants to eat watermelon. I remember being a kid and loving taking a big slice out on the porch or in the yard and seeing how far I could spit the watermelon seeds. The problem I find with buying a watermelon is that unless you are a large family that is a lot of watermelon to eat! So, time to find other things to use it for.

My mother introduced me to this salad, I am not sure where she got it from. But I recently found a very similar recipe in the In Style magazine, June 2009. It is a good one, great for summer BBQ's or an accompaniment to any meal.

Watermelon Salad

1 cup olive oil
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
3 tbsp vinegar (I use white or white wine vinegar, In Style suggested champagne vinegar)
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
2 tsp chopped fresh basil
1 minced shallot
1 minced chile (I use jalapeno, In Style suggested Serrano)
1 small seedless watermelon (about 2 cups of watermelon once it is chopped)
1 small container of feta cheese
1 bunch of arugula

Combine olive oil, lime juice, vinegar, thyme, basil, shallot and chile in meauring cup or a jar/bottle with a lid, either stir or shake well.

Remove rind from watermelon and slice into cubes (or whatever you desire).

I like to pre mix the watermelon and feta with the dressing and let it marinade briefly before putting it on a bed of arugula. You can serve it on individual plates or in a large bowl from a group setting.

Raspberry martini (with a twist)

I had this at a restaurant near my house a few months ago. It was so Delicious that I had to find out what was in it. Then next time we had people over we decided to test our bartending skills on them. To be warned it is so yummy and you don't really taste the booze, so try and just have one or two!

Contains equal parts:
peach snapps
Alize red passion
raspberry Sour Puss

Mix these together in a martini shaker with some real lemon juice and ice (if I am making 2 drinks I would use half a lemon). Pour into martini glasses rimmed with sugar. Enjoy!

Julia Child

I have recently been reading a book about Julia Child, the famous American chef living in France. (And who there is a movie coming out about) This women had no idea about cooking, or how to cook until she went to France when her husband's job took her there. I think of all the women (an men) I know who say I can't cook and just never try. This women really couldn't cook and didn't really even love food. She grew up in California with parents who just cooked to feed the family. Not to love food, or savour the flavours. And when she went to France she fell in love with food. I think her story is very inspirational and could teach a lot of people that you can learn to cook.

Her and two friends decided they wanted to help others learn how too cook and love food like they had. They didn't want it to be a regular cook book, they wanted it to really help people learn. They made sure that the recipes we explained easily and there was no way you couldn't understand something. I really liked her style and her dedication when it came to cooking. I think this is something I would like to do. Help people not fear cooking. I think especially women. It seems like so many women I know have spent so long try to avoid the female stereotypes- like cooking, cleaning etc. That they almost want to automatically say- oh I don't cook. Does this make them more powerful? More equal to men? I don't know.

I don't cook because I want to be the perfect housewife. I cook because I like to cook. I like eating good food, and if I can make it as opposed to buy it at a restaurant, even better. I enjoy seeing my friends and family enjoying the food I make. And I love being able to share those recipes and tips so that others can do the same.

One thing Julia Child and her friends would do was have cooking parties. The women would pick a recipe, like and appetizer or a main course and come prepared with all the ingredients. Then men would each have to pick a bottle of wine to go with their wives dishes for that evening. Doesn't that sounds like a great night? You learn how to cook something new, learn about a new bottle of wine and socialize with close friends. Sounds better to me than a bar where you pay $10 a drink and can hardly hear each other.

Anyhow, I guess that is my opinion entry. More recipes to follow.