Blossom time is winding down in California’s stone fruit orchards,
and the trees are beginning their fruiting period in earnest.
Right
now, the fruit that will be ripe at the height of the season
is smaller than a pencil eraser. There’s plenty of
work ahead for growers, but for the time being, it’s
a watching and waiting game. They keep an eye on the fruit’s
growth, the trees’ health, and the weather, hoping
for a peaceful spring full of sunny days.
For
those of us who are big fruit fans, it’s a waiting game as well – these
last couple months, we really look forward to the fruit to
come. Before long, though, it will be on its way to stores
across the country. The first fruit is expected to be harvested
around the beginning of May – get ready! |
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Grilled
Fish with Nectarine Mint Salsa
Are
you looking forward to starting up the grill? Here’s
a recipe to set aside for that first warm, sunny day
of summer cooking outdoors. The salsa for this simple
fish preparation can be made ahead, making the grilling
and assembly simple. |
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Ingredients |
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| 4 |
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medium halibut, swordfish or mahi
mahi fillets or steaks |
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| 3 |
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tablespoons butter |
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1 |
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tablespoon lemon juice |
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2 |
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cloves minced fresh garlic |
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1/4 |
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teaspoon lemon pepper |
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1/4 |
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teaspoon salt |
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Nectarine Mint Salsa
(recipe follows) |
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Nectarine
Mint Salsa |
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| 1 |
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cup diced fresh California nectarines |
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| 3 |
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tablespoons finely chopped red bell
pepper |
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| 2 |
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tablespoons sliced green onions |
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| 2 |
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teaspoons fresh lime juice |
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| 1/2 |
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tablespoon chopped fresh mint |
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| 1/2 |
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finely chopped small seeded jalapeno
pepper |
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Preparation
Prep
time: 15 minutes
Cook
time: 10 minutes
Prepare
grill for cooking fish over medium-high heat. Rinse
fish and pat dry. Melt butter in a small saucepan.
Add lemon juice, garlic, lemon pepper and salt; simmer
for 1 minute over low heat and set aside. Cook fish
steaks for about 5 minutes on each side or until
fish flakes easily with a fork, brushing liberally
with butter mixture during the last few minutes of
cooking. Serve with a large scoop of Nectarine Mint
Salsa.
To
prepare salsa, stir together all ingredients and
keep covered until ready to serve.
Makes
4 servings |
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