Melon Bacon Boats Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat a grill for medium heat.
• Slice the zucchinis in half lengthwise. Score the cut side of the zucchinis in a cross-hatch pattern to create 1/2-inch squares across the surface, making sure not to cut through the skin.
• Mix the olive oil with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt and red pepper flakes if using. Spread 1 teaspoon oil mix on the cut side of each zucchini, dividing any extra between the zucchinis.
• Lightly oil the grill grates with olive oil. Place the zucchini halves cut-side up on the grill. Close the lid and grill until the skin side has dark grill marks, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Reduce the grill heat to medium-low and flip the zucchini cut-side down. Grill, covered, until softened, marked by the grill and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Flip the zucchinis again so they are cut-side up. Spread 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce onto each zucchini, then sprinkle each with about 2 tablespoons mozzarella and a few pepperonis. Cover and grill until mozzarella is melted, bubbling and starting to brown at the edges, 5 to 6 minutes. Sprinkle with more salt and Italian seasoning.

Steps:

• Add 2 large scoops ice cream to a dessert boat. Remove the lid from the dessert topping jar and heat in microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Pour warm sauce over ice cream. Top each scoop of ice cream with a big swirl of whipped cream and a cherry. Add 2 spoons and a special someone and this dessert makes a sweet end (or beginning) to a great date night, at home!

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the dressing: Whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, oil, vinegar, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl until combined; set aside.
• For the salad: Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet, and toast until lightly browned and fragrant, 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, then break up into 1/4-inch pieces.
• To assemble: Toss the walnuts, chicken, apples, grapes and scallion whites together with the dressing in a large bowl until everything is well coated; season with salt and pepper. Scoop a scant 1/2 cup of the salad into each romaine leaf, and arrange 2 on each serving plate. Garnish with the scallion greens, and serve.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. Drizzle a rimmed baking sheet with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season the zucchini halves with salt and pepper. Add to the baking sheet and turn to coat with the oil. Arrange the zucchini cut-side down in a single layer. Roast until crisp-tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the cumin and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook 30 seconds. Add the turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and chicken broth until combined. Cook until the broth is reduced to a thick sauce, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Turn the zucchini boats cut-side up and fill with the turkey mixture, packing it in. Sprinkle with the cheese and roast until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is softened, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir together the yogurt and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the zucchini boats with the yogurt mixture and top with the dill.

Steps:

• Cut the celery into 4-inch-long pieces, then slice off a thin edge at the rounded part of the stalk to help them lie flat while stuffing. Place them in a bowl of ice water and refrigerate until ready to stuff.
• In a bowl, toss the pecans with the honey, butter, cayenne and salt, making sure the nuts are well coated. Spread on a baking sheet, bake until nuts are toasted, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
• Chop pecans coarsely in a food processor. Add the cream cheese and process until smooth. Remove celery from the refrigerator, drain and dry well. Scrape cream cheese/nut mixture out of the food processor into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Fill each celery boat with a generous amount of the mixture.
• Cut the jalapenos into thick strips, and then cut each strip in half at an angle. This should look like a sail. Garnish each of your celery boats with its red jalapeno sail.

Steps:

• Cut the melon in half, scoop out the seeds and cut the flesh into wedges.
• Slice the fruit from the skin then cut the flesh into thick cubes. Keep the pieces generously sized.
• Remove the rinds from the bacon. Grill the bacon - or fry it in a non-stick pan - until crisp, then drain on kitchen paper. Cut or break the bacon into pieces about 2 cm in length. Pull the leaves from the parsley and roughly chop.
• Dissolve the honey in the lemon juice, season with a few grinds of black pepper and beat in the olive oil with a fork or small whisk.
• Add the bacon and parsley to the melon. Pour over the dressing and gently toss, trying not to break up the melon. Divide between two plates and serve.

Steps:

• Combine lemon juice, sugar and flour in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Stir 1/4 cup into eggs; return all to pan. Cook and stir for 15 minutes or until mixture coasts a spoon (do not boil). Cool. Fold in whipped cream; cover and chill until serving. , For watermelon boat, cut a thin slice from bottom of melon with a sharp knife to allow it to sit flat (see diagram at right). Mark a horizontal cutting line 2 in. above center of melon. With a long sharp knife, cut into melon along cutting line, making sure to cut all the way through. Gently pull off top section of rind. , Remove fruit from both sections and cut into cubes or balls; set aside. To cut decorative edge, place melon on its side. Position a 2-1/2-in. star cookie cutter against inside edge of melon, allowing only half of star to cut through rind (see diagram below). Use a mallet if necessary to help push cookie cutter through melon. , Insert a toothpick into flat edge of removed piece. Attach piece onto melon edge where last cut ends. Repeat cutting and attaching pieces until entire melon edge is completed. , In a large bowl, combine honeydew, cantaloupe, strawberries, grapes and watermelon; spoon into boat. Serve with dressing.