Watermelon Salad, Persimmon Bread, Inside-Out Quinoa Rissoles, Cauliflower Cheese

Watermelon Salad
I know, I know... my northern readers are freezing.  But down here it's still watermelon season, and this is delicious!

I've seen this salad in books and such, off and on for several years, but never tried it.  I wish I'd tried it earlier!!  Simple, sweet, salty, tart and nutty.  Next best thing to going face-down in a slice of melon, like we did when we were kids!  Serves 2.

2+ cups cubed Watermelon
6 Tbsp crumbled Feta Cheese
4 Tbsp julienned fresh Mint
Juice of half a Lime
4 Tbsp Pine Nuts, toasted

Put the watermelon in bowls, then top with the rest of the ingredients.  Yep -- it's that simple!

Inside-Out Quinoa Burgers
Inside-Out indeed!  The "burgers" become the buns in this quirky (but very tasty) California veggie burger.  Makes 5 burgers (10 patties).

1-13/ cup dry Red Quinoa
2 Tbsp EVOO
Juice of half a Lemon
1/2 tsp Red Chili Flakes
2 Eggs, beaten
1 tsp Cumin
1 Tbsp minced fresh Mint
1 Tbsp Oregano
1 tsp Black pepper
1/4 cup Bread Crumbs
Salt only to taste
Fillings:  Hummus, Tzatziki, tomato, onion, lettuce, etc.

Cook the quinoa to package directions -- I use my rice cooker.  Makes bout 4 cups.

In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, chili flakes and eggs.  In a separate large bowl combine the cooked quinoa, cumin, mint, oregano and pepper.   Add the wet ingredients to the dry, nd mix to fully incorporate things.  Fold in the bread crumbs last.

Pre-heat the oven to 350F.

Form the patties using egg rings or large cookie cutters.  My rings are about 3-1/2" diameter and 1/2" deep.  Set the rings on a baking sheet covered with parchment, and press 1/3 cup into each ring.  Remove rings and bake 16-18 minutes until dry and firm.  Remove from the heat and carefully reserve the patties.  Re-warm before you build the burgers.

Plating:  set a patty on a plate and schmear the top of it with Hummus.  Add slices of tomato, lettuce, onion, feta and whatever else you fancy (Kalamata olive slices would go well).  Add a nice dollop of Tzatziki and then finish with the top burger-bun.   Goes really well with some nice baked sweet potato wedges.

Persimmon Bread
This takes the persimmon to a whole new level.  What a great dessert bread!

2 Eggs, beaten 

1 1/2 cups Self Rising flour

3/4 cup White Sugar

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 cup Vegetable Oil

1 tsp Cinnamon

4 Fuyu Persimmons

1/2 cup chopped Walnuts

1+ cup chopped Persimmon, reserve 4-6 slices for garnish

Preheat oven to 350F. Oil a 9 x 4 inch loaf pan. Puree the two ripest persimmons.  Cube 1-1/2 fruit, and slice the remaining half fruit into half moons.

In a small bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, salt, nuts, and cubed fruit.

In a large bowl, blend the eggs, sugar, and oil with the persimmon puree. Fold in the flour/fruit nut mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake for 30 minutes.  

Top the loaf with the reserved persimmon slices and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until tester comes out clean.

Cauliflower Cheese

This is a Sally Dish, from her childhood.  Cauliflower.  And Cheese Sauce.  Really tasty!  All I'm allowed to do is prep the cauliflower and nuke it tender.  She makes the cheese sauce:

Butter or Olivio
Cornstarch or AP Flour

Dairy
Cheese

Melt about 3 Tbsp of butter in a 2 quart pot.  Add about 3 Tbsp of cornstarch and whisk together.  Cook for about 2 minutes to get rid of any floury taste.   Still whisking, start adding dairy (milk, half & half, even Almond Milk will do.

Keep whisking to break up the wads of flour/butter as you continue to add dairy -- up to 2 cups.  Bring the mixture up to a simmer and continue cooking until it starts to thicken -- a few minutes.  Once the sauce is nearly thick enough for you, start adding shredded cheese of your choice (Sally prefers very sharp white cheddar).   When the sauce is uber cheesy,  put the cauliflower florets in a baking dish, and top with cheesy goodness.   Pop in a 350F oven for 20 minutes or so to get a bit of browning and crust on the top.



Serve with a side veg.  I made green beans with slivered almonds.