Article published in Four Points News – June 17, 2014

http://www.fourpointsnews.com/2014/06/17/june-18-2014-issue/

Summer is here… the sun is blazing hot… temperatures are rising… sprinklers are on.. gardens are growing.. pools are getting splashed into… and the grills are out.   And this is also the season when  farmers market and groceries are abundantly loaded with seasonal vegetables and fruits.   To celebrate the summer, you need to smell, feel and taste it, with the food of the season.  And of course what’s more synonymous with summer than sweet corn and watermelon!

The ear of corn, draped in silk threads and veiled in husk, packed with an average of 800 kernels in each, are loaded with anti oxidants, vitamins and minerals. While being a low calorie and high fiber vegetable, it’s a great side and any time snack. Here’s a great recipe.

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Chile-Lime and Garlic Butter

http://hotsweetspicyrecipes.com/grilled-corn-on-the-cob-with-chile-lime-and-garlic-butter/

 

Grilled corn is a perfect picnic food when summers starts and BBQ Grills are out. But this spicy variation is refreshing with flavors of lime, garlic and chili heat on the sweetness of corn.

Ingredients:

4 ears of fresh sweet corn

1 Tbsp butter

1 lime, cut into wedges

1 tsp chili pepper

½ tsp Salt or to taste

Dash of garlic powder

 

Instructions:

Peel the husks and the silk strings from the corn cob.

Warm the grill to moderately hot to grill the cobs. The cobs can also be cooked inside on a gas stove top by turning the cobs around on the fire as an alternative.

In a bowl combine the butter with red chilli pepper (paprika is another option),  salt, garlic powder and set aside. Also slice the lime into quarters and set aside.

When the corn cobs are evenly roasted with kernels charred to a light brown and black remove from grill.

Take the lime wedges and dip in the chili garlic salt butter mix and apply on the kernels of each corn. This gives a nice delicious tangy hot, sweet and spicy flavor to the corn. Enjoy.

Watermelon is the best fruit which quenches thirst on a hot summer day.   Known to energize and hydrate, the water in its name is for good reason.  It’s loaded with electrolytes, sodium, potassium, vitamins and anti oxidants.  Watermelons make perfect picnic food, fruit salsa’s and drinks. Here’s a recipe for a drink.

Watermelon Lemonade soda

http://hotsweetspicyrecipes.com/watermelon-lemonade/

It’s a refreshing, hydrating drink, great for hot summers, or detox diets.

Ingredients:

Watermelon puree -1  cup

Lemon/Lime juice-(Freshly-squeezed) -1/4 cup

Ginger – a dash, freshly  cut and ground to paste

Mint – 2 leaves

Sugar-2 tablespoons or to taste

Coarse Salt -to taste and garnish

Club soda/ Seltzer water

Ice cubes

Instructions:

Blend the seedless watermelon chunks, ginger, and mint leaves to a puree, strain  through  a strainer and stir in the lemon juice, sugar, salt and blend together.

Add seltzer water/ club soda and ice cubes just before you serve. You can substitute water instead of soda if you prefer.

Garnish with a watermelon wedge or rim the glasses with sugar and salt mix for a fancy effect.

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 Birjis Adeni Rashed is a food writer, culinary educator and consultant. Follow her blog and recipes on www.hotsweetspicyrecipes.com or connect with her on https://www.facebook.com/hotsweetspicyrecipes  or https://twitter.com/HtSwtSpcyRecipe