Paprika, peppercorn, salt, and summer- BBQ juicy steak fruit come to mind?  Summer of 2015 is about wet, juicy fruit topped with sweet and savory spices!  Recipes can be as simple as adding salt to melon, or as exotic as Li Hing on pineapple,  Tajin on cucumbers or throwing some peaches and watermelon on the grill.

Let’s start with salt.  Salt is a basic spice found in any household kitchen that can add to and balance the flavor of any sweet fruit. I love it on melon and cantaloupe.  Also, if you’re a risk taker you can enhance the flavor of your fruit by adding extra flavors such as peppercorn.

The first time I tried Li Hing (aka the traveling plum), was in Hawaii at a hotel Tiki bar.  The bartender said it was a traditional spice, made of dried plum, used in Hawaii on fruits, candy, meats, fish and even in some alcoholic beverages.  He dipped a pineapple into a beautiful red spice and it was love at first taste! Li Hing is made of dried plum.  The flavor is a mixture of sweet, salty, and sour all in one.

Hawaii 2011
Hawaii 2011:  Introduction to Li Hing spice

Tajin, made of lime, salt,  and Mexican chile, has been used on fruits (mangoes, melons, watermelon), meats, and cucumbers to boost flavor.  Simply cut your fruit, sprinkle some Tajin and enjoy a whole new culinary experience!

BONUS:  Going to a BBQ?  Impress your friends with a whole new way of enjoying fruit by grilling peaches and watermelon.  Below you will find two simple recipes that your friends and family will relish over!  If you don’t have an outdoor grill you can use a stove top grill.  My favorite is the Calphalon stove top grill that I got as a gift from a great friend.

SMOKIN’ PEACHES:   peaches, smoked paprika

  • cut the peaches in half (throw out the pits!)
  • put on the grill until caramelized
  • add smoked paprika
  • Enjoy!

ZESTY MELON:  watermelon, lime juice, honey, salt, garlic chili sauce, (cilantro or parsley)

  • cut the watermelon (lightly salt on both sides)
  • put on grill until caramelized on both sides
  • mix lime juice, honey, garlic chili sauce
  • add mixture to watermelon
  • add cilantro or parsley (for those who have an aversion to cilantro)
  • Enjoy!

Who am I kidding? Fruits are probably not the new meat, however, we are definitely spicing them up this season!

Bon Appetit!