Red, White, and Blue Dinner

Love this simple dish to celebrate the 4th (how many red, white, and blue meals can there be?), AND I didn't have to turn on the heat producers in my kitchen, AND my husband thanked me for not only a great meal, but also minimal kitchen clean-up. Set yourself up for a yummy holiday with this one!


Ingredients
Couple of peaches, skin removed or a healthy chunk of watermelon, seeds removed
A vine ripe, luscious tomato, diced
A sprinkling of blueberries
A bunch of fresh basil leaves, finely chopped (this is the key ingredient--don't skimp)
1 can of chunk, white tuna, drained
Olive oil and rice vinegar to taste
Sea salt to taste
Salad greens (optional)


Directions

1. Combine everything in a bowl (NOTE: I cut peaches over the bowl to be sure to catch all the sweet juice).
2. Toss to coat. 
3. Taste.
4. Adjust seasoning.
5. Enjoy (cue patriotic music and fireworks)!

Guac that rocks

I find it interesting that since I've moved to Tennessee the best peaches I've had come from South Carolina. Now, I grew up in Alabama on Chilton County Peaches and have ancestral roots in Georgia so there was a fair share of Peach State peaches around each summer, but I can't get any from either state that are any good here in Tennessee. What's up with that? We only live 15-20 minutes from both AL and GA.

Regardless, I have some succulent South Carolina peaches in my house right now. I'm not kidding--these babies are juicy and over the top sweet. I plan to make a crisp for the holiday weekend, but tonight, I treated myself (literally just me--shared with no one else) to a bowl of divine guacamole. Here's how it breaks down:


Ingredients
1 slightly ripe avocado, sliced open, seed removed
1 ripe South Carolina peach
a little red onion, finely chopped
a little cilantro, finely chopped
sea salt and black pepper to taste

Directions
Scoop out the avocado flesh with a spoon. Mash with a fork.
Add remaining ingredients and blend well.

I ate the whole bowl. No guilt on my part, though, because peaches are a good source of fiber and vitamins A & C and avocados have really healthy fat. Oh, and I put a spoonful or two on some romaine lettuce leaves, just to get my greens in!