Mint Julep Cucumber Salad Recipes

MINT JULEP FRUIT SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the sugar and cardamom in a small bowl. Spray the tops of the tortillas with cooking spray and sprinkle with the cardamom sugar. Cut each tortilla into 10 to 12 wedges and place on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake until crispy and golden, about 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
• Meanwhile, make the salsa by combining the apples, pear, lime juice and preserves in a medium bowl. Fold in the strawberries, raspberries and bourbon. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for an hour to allow all the flavors to marry.
• Before serving, garnish the salsa with the mint. Serve with the tortilla chips.

CHILLED MELON, CUCUMBER AND MINT SALAD

Steps:

• Place the melons on a flat surface and split each one in half. Scoop out and discard the seeds. Use the larger-size scoop on a melon baller to scoop out the flesh. The goal is to tightly pack about 6 generous cups of melon flesh and then hollow the four melon halves out for presentation. Scrape the halves with a spoon to smooth the insides and gather additional flesh (and trap any juices) in a separate bowl until you have 1 heaping cup. Save the melon halves. Refrigerate the melon balls.
• Place the melon scraps and juices in a blender and add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, the lime zest and juice and honey. Puree until smooth and taste for seasoning. Add more honey, if needed. Add a splash of water if more liquid is needed to make a smooth puree. Refrigerate.
• In a medium bowl, toss the cucumbers with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and a generous amount of black pepper. Toss the melon balls with the dressing. Sprinkle the cucumbers and mint over the melon and mix a little. Fill the melon halves.