Chilled Cantaloupe and Key Lime Soup

Chilled Cantaloupe and Key Lime Soup, Feta and Fresh Herbs

Chilled Cantaloupe and Key Lime Soup
Feta, Cilantro, Mint, Kaffir Lime, Olive Oil

With just three ingredients, cold cantaloupe soup couldn’t be easier to prepare, nor more refreshing. This delightful Chilled Cantaloupe and Key Lime Soup is perfect for summer entertaining. Key limes give the soup a fresh bright acidity.

The garnishes take the soup to another level. Feta brings a tangy element while olive oil adds a rich mouthfeel. Kaffir lime leaf slivers bring a luscious perfume and unique citrusy flavor. The green herb garnish of mint and cilantro contrasts the pastel-orange soup for a very pretty presentation.

Chilled Cantaloupe Soup Recipe

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Crusted Ahi over Ponzu with Roasted Garlic Tahini

Togarashi Crusted Ahi over Ponzu with Roasted Garlic Tahini, Serrano, Kaffir Lime, Wasabi, Borage

Togarashi Furikake Crusted Ahi
Over Ponzu
Roasted Garlic Tahini Sauce
Garnished with Serrano, Kaffir Lime Shards, Wasabi, Borage

Choosing the right fish for your dish can have a positive impact on the marine environment and the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium would like to help educate local consumers on this important topic. Today, FRIENDS of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium hosted its first Sustainable Seafood Expo, a fun and delicious way to sample new seafood dishes, wines and craft beers while learning how to make the best selections when dining out or cooking at home.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is one of 200 partners in the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, which produces pocket guides and a smart phone app recommending which seafood items are “best choices,” “good alternatives” or “avoid.”

sustainable seafood

Seafood Watch recommendations consider the fishery, habitat, species, management, and a host of factors that affect each species. The goal is to help sustain wild, diverse and healthy ocean ecosystems that will exist long into the future. Consumers are encouraged to purchase seafood that is fished or farmed in ways that don’t harm the environment. (from Sustainable Seafood Expo press release)

yellowfin tuna

My “contribution” to the event is a recipe for sustainable Yellowfin (Ahi) Tuna, Pole Caught right here off our Pacific Coast.

Togarashi Crusted Ahi Recipe

Yellowfin tuna is found throughout most of the world’s oceans. Many types of gear are used to catch tuna. Not all yellowfin fisheries use ocean-friendly methods and some populations are overfished. Look for troll- or pole-caught yellowfin as the most sustainable option. (from SeafoodWatch here)

Crusted Ahi Recipe

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Spiced Roasted Cauliflower with Walnut, Cilantro, Mint

Spiced Roasted Cauliflower with Walnut, Cilantro, Mint

Spiced Roasted Cauliflower
Walnut, Cilantro, Mint, Kaffir Lime, Pink Peppercorn

I’m channeling my inner Ottolenghi, move over steamed white cauliflower. The king of vibrant vegetable dishes, Chef Ottolenghi often chooses a single ingredient then enhances it with various herbs, spices, and other exotic flavors. Here – mustard, fennel, and cumin seeds are toasted in olive oil. Then turmeric, hatch chile powder and dry mustard are whisked in. Cauliflower is tossed with the spice mixture and roasted until it begins to caramelize. Roasted walnuts add nutty rich notes. A huge handful of cilantro and mint add a fresh bright herbal character. Kaffir lime shards and crushed pink peppercorns bring the magic. The humble cauliflower side dish, is now kicked to the curb and dressed to kill…

Spiced Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

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Mahi Mahi & Jasmine Rice “Stew” with Thai Flavors

fish and rice stew

Mahi Mahi & Jasmine Rice ~ Thai Flavors
Ginger, Garlic, Lemongrass, Thai Chili
Thai Basil, Kaffir Lime, Scallion, Mint

Just like the previous post, Hot Spicy Fish Soup, this fragrant fish “stew” can also be made in less than a half hour — little more than the time it takes to cook a pot of rice. Mahi mahi is mildly sweet with a distinctively firm texture, the perfect fish for this style of cooking. I use fillets straight from the freezer. A jaunt through the garden and a trip to the farmers’ market for the fresh herbs and voilá, we have a vivid fish & rice dish with bold lively flavors.

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Green Curry Soup

Green Curry Soup
Tofu, Chicken, and Peas
Basil and Scallion Garnish
  • 1 1/2 c. coconut milk
  • 1 1/2 c. chicken stock
  • 2 T. green curry paste
  • 1 c. diced chicken breast
  • 1 c. cubed tofu
  • 1/2 c. frozen peas
  • 1 T. fish sauce
  • 1 T. sugar
  • 1 sliced green chile (Thai, serrano, or jalapeño)
  • 2 kaffir lime leaves, thinly sliced into slivers
  • basil and scallion for garnish

Heat coconut milk and chicken stock together. Stir in curry paste. Add chicken and kaffir lime leaves. When chicken is cooked, season with fish sauce and sugar. Taste, adjust seasoning to balance the sweet, spicy, sour, salty flavors. Add chile, tofu and frozen peas and heat through. Serve garnished with a chiffonade of basil and sliced scallion.
A vegetarian version made with vegetable stock, omitting the chicken, and substituting light soy sauce for fish sauce is also very tasty.

This little fellow is my Kaffir Lime Tree, planted last Fall. The wrinkled limes are way too sour to eat but the leaves and zest are perfect to season my Thai dishes. The green curry soup recipe is adapted from a basic recipe we learned in Thailand a few years ago at the fabulous Pattaya Thai Cooking School.

Kaffir Lime leaves are easily distinguished by their double-lobes and very fragrant aroma.

Voilà! A very flavorful and easy to make soup!

This Green Curry Soup with its tofu and green peas is my entry to My Legume Love Affair. It has been my pleasure to be your hostess for this month’s edition. The round-up will be posted on June 7th. Please do stop by to Taste With The Eyes the exciting legume dishes from around the world. Many thanks to Susan, The Well-Seasoned Cook for inviting me to do the honors. And be sure to visit Apu of Annarasa blog for more beans in June!