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melon salad, and something to (momentarily) divert you ...that's it!

Hi-Hi!

Did you read the piece about the cost of melons in the Hamptons? Holy Smokes! $400!! It’s ridiculous… especially in light of the cruelty coming from Washington DC this week… it’s hard to lift my head.

Here is a salad that will brighten your tastebuds… gotta start somewhere.

Watermelon Salad With Cherry Tomatoes, Fried Shallots, and Fish Sauce:

• ½ c homemade or store-bought fried shallots

• 1 small or ¼ lg watermelon, rind removed, cut into 1-inch chunks

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half

• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced, put in a bowl with 50/50 hot water and red wine vinegar. Let soak while you prepare everything else

• 1 small Persian cucumber, halved lengthwise and cut into ½-inch slices

• Large handful of roughly chopped mint leaves

• Large handful of roughly chopped cilantro leaves

• ½ c roughly crushed or chopped roasted peanuts

1. Prepare the salad: If using store bought shallots, toast them dry in a large skillet over medium-low heat until deep caramel brown and aromatic, about 3 minutes. Season generously with salt and transfer to a bowl. If using homemade, which I did, super easy, just be certain to drain well!

2. Combine watermelon, pickled onion, cherry tomatoes cucumber, mint, cilantro, peanuts, half of the fried shallots and ¼ cup dressing in a large bowl. Toss to combine. Taste and add more dressing as desired. (Extra dressing can be saved in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.) Transfer to a platter and sprinkle with remaining shallots. Yum!

Dressing:

• 4 med garlic cloves, minced

• 2T chili crisp… or to your heat liking 🥵

• 3T agave syrup

• ¼c fish sauce

• 3T freshly squeezed lime juice

• Zest from one lime

Combine garlic, chili crisp, fish sauce, lime, zest, and agave in a jar with a solid lid. Shake like your favorite mixologist!

Do you have a favorite melon salad?

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Tell your people you love them, and take care of your skin!

Merci,

xN