[1] Frozen melon cocktail served in melon halves. The recipe is below (photo © Melissa’s Produce).

[2] A Charentais melon is a more refined cantaloupe. While you can’t smell or taste it here, look at the smoothe skin (photo © Marius Kant | Wikipedia).

[3] Charentais melons in a market in France (public domain image).

[4] The recipe requires melon balls, but you can scoop and freeze any melon balls for a quick frozen snack, or to defrost for dessert (photo © American Diabetes Association).

[5] There are many fine tequilas, some with interesting packaging like this bottle from Santo Blanco (photo © Santo Spirit).

[6] You can add some sizzle to your cocktail with Tanteo tequilas in Chipoitle, Habanero and Jalapeño (photo © Tanteo Tequila).

What’s better on a hot day than a a frozen cocktail (or a non-alcoholic slushie—just leave out the tequila).

This recipe, below, comes to us from Melissa’s Produce, which used a Charentais melon, a relative of cantaloupe.

You can substitute cantaloupe or any other melon.

There are also more delicious frozen drink recipes below.
 
 
WHAT IS A CHARENTAIS MELON?

This “gourmet” melon is a more elegant version of a cantaloupe—some call it a French cantaloupe.

It has similar flesh, but was bred to be even sweeter, with a more intense and distinctive aroma of tropical fruit and flowers.

The variety originated in the Poitou-Charentes* region of western France in the 1920s.

It was developed as a refined cantaloupe with a smoother, more aesthetically appealing skin—minimally netted, as opposed to the complete netting on a cantaloupe skin.

The size was smaller, too: a perfect “breakfast for two.”

These melons were almost exclusively available in France, because their thin skin and soft flesh does not travel well.

Thus, while they are prized, there is low production because they are too delicate for commercial shipping.

To please melon lovers across the pond, small amounts were planted and hybrids were created by crossing the Charentais with North American cantaloupes. This created a larger size and a thicker skin for better shipping.

There is limited production of Charentais melons in the U.S. today. But if you have space for gardening, you can buy seeds and grow your own.

Or, a faster solution: get them from specialty produce purveyors like Melissa’s.

(By the way, unlike another famous french melon, the Cavaillon, Charentais melons are not protected by an A.O.C. designation [appellation d’origine contrôlée], which limits by law the specific region(s) where a product can be grown/made [like Champagne and Roquefort cheese, e.g.]. Therefore, Charentais melons can legally be grown anywhere.)

Charentais melons grow 6″ in diameter and weigh 3-4 pounds.

Botanically, the Charentais melon is Cucurbitaceae Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis.

 
The Charentais melon is especially prized in France for its rich, honeyed finish on the palate. The French serve them plain for breakfast, as an appetizer wrapped with Bayonne ham or proscuitto as an appetizer, and as melon balls drizzled with Port or other sweet wine for dessert.

 
RECIPE: FROZEN CANTALOUPE COCKTAIL

You can make this cocktail with any melon (and with cucumber, too). But if you want to serve it in a melon half, you’ll need to find a small cantaloupe.

The frozen cocktail just as delicious in a Collins glass or a Margarita glass—and if you don’t want to scoop out the cantaloupe flesh when you’ve finished the drink, a glass is better.
 
 
Ingredients For 2 Melon Halves

 
Preparation

1. PROCESS all of the ingredients in a blender, adding just enough of the ice to make a slushy drink.

2. POUR into the melon halves. You may need to cut a flat spot on the bottom so that they don’t tip.

3. GARNISH with mint and lime wedges.

 
MORE FROZEN DRINK RECIPES

*Poitou-Charentes, a region on the French Atlantic coast with Roman, Renaissance and medieval history, is now part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Its best-known cities are La Rochelle, the region’s capital, which is on the coast; and Poitiers, inland. Other important cities are Angoulême, Châtellerault, Niort, Saintes, Rochefort and Royan.

July 14th is National Macaroni & Cheese Day. We’ve got lots of great mac and cheese recipes below, but we’ll start out with a new one: Gnocchi Mac & Cheese.

Instead of using elbows, penne, or other plain pasta, this recipe uses gnocchi, small dumplings stuffed with cheese, potato, pumpkin, spinach, or other ingredients.

This recipe is courtesy Delallo Foods, where there are great cooks in the kitchen. They use their potato gnocchi (photo #2). We had both cheese and pumpkin gnocchi in the freezer, and the recipe is great with both (or any filling).

The recipe layers the cheesy flavors with three kinds of cheese: Cheddar, Fontina, and Parmesan.

We happened to have some Moliterno Black Truffle Pecorino, a Sardinian sheep’s milk cheese embedded with Italian black truffle. We substituted that for the Cheddar. Since truffled mac and cheese is our favorite recipe, it was, naturally, a big hit.

And before we get started, let’s thank Thomas Jefferson for mac and cheese. He brought pasta to America.

> Here’s the history of mac and cheese.

> There are 17 more mac and cheese recipes below.
 
 
RECIPE: GNOCCHI MAC & CHEESE

Instead of baking the recipe in a square baking dish, you can bake it in 4-6 individual ramekins or mini skillets. If so, the cooking time may be quicker.
 
Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. PREHEAT the oven to 375°F. Spray a shallow 9″ x 9″ baking dish with nonstick spray. Arrange the cooked gnocchi in a single layer at the bottom of the dish.

2. MELT the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and cook until lightly golden, about 1 minute. Whisk in the flour until the mixture thickens; then add the milk and sage. Continuing to whisk, cook the sauce until thickened, about 2 minutes.

3. ADD the shredded cheeses to the sauce. Stir until melted, then season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the layer of gnocchi. Top evenly with Parmesan and the breadcrumbs.

4. BAKE until bubbly, about 25 minutes. Allow the gnocchi to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
 
 
17 MORE MAC & CHEESE RECIPES

In addition to the Gnocchi Mac & Cheese recipe above, and the two links to Lobster Mac & Cheese, here’s a wealth of macs with lots of personality:

[1] Gnocchi Mac & Cheese, our featured recipe (photos #1 and #2 © Delallo).

[2] You can purchase fresh gnocchi, or dried gnocchi like these.

[3] Sage is an underused herb in American cooking. Just a few uses: compound butter, omelets/scrambles, soup garnish, stuffing (photo © Good Eggs).

[4] Use panko [Japanese] breadcrumbs for a crispy topping (photo © Progresso).

[5] Grated cheddar, one of the three cheeses used in the recipe (photo © Szakaly | Panther Media).

[1] The classic presentation: a stroopwafel atop a mug (all photos © Finger Licking Dutch).

[2] They’re just as delicious “on the side.”

[3] What’s this? It’s a stroopwafel garnished with caramel sauce and chocolate chips, waiting for a scoop of ice cream.

[4] Make your “sundae” a simple one with a side of strawberries.

[5] As a snack with fruit.

Stroopwafels are an old Dutch treat from the town of Gouda in South Holland*. They’re the second-most-famous food contribution to Dutch cuisine after the eponymous Gouda cheese.

The pronunciation is just as it appears, with a roll of the “r” to sound authentically Dutch.

The traditional way to eat these cookies is with a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa. Just before it is eaten, the stroopwafel is placed on top of the hot cup in order to warm it up. The filling melts a bit, and scents of caramel perfume the air.

A glass of cold milk or iced coffee works just as well, since today’s stroopwafels don’t need any extra softening to be enjoyed (analogy: warm chocolate chip cookies before they cool).

We’ll present this week’s Top Pick, Finger Licking Dutch Stroopwafels, in a moment. But first…
 
 
THE HISTORY OF STROOPWAFELS

Stroopwafel cookies were invented in Gouda in 1784. Different sources cite different dates, and the identity of the inventor is lost to history. It’s a reasonable guess that it was a poor housewife trying to scrimp together something to eat, and “glued” crumbs together with syrup.

This poor man’s food evolved into waffle cookie sandwiches: two waffle rounds with a caramel or syrup filling.

They are ubiquitous in Holland: from street carts to cafés, from mass-market supermarket brands to artisan-baked cookies.

Fillings have evolved beyond the original caramel, to cinnamon, chocolate, honey and vanilla. Sometimes, chopped nuts are added to the filling.

The cookie is also known in the U.K. as a caramel cookie, by its English translation, syrup waffle.
 
 
TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: FINGER LICKIN’ DUTCH STROOPWAFELS

Today’s stroopwafel is about four inches in diameter. Other brands make mini-sizes, half the diameter.

Finger Lickin’ Dutch stroopwafels require no softening to taste delicious. They are pleasantly chewy, and just sweet enough without being cloying.

That being said, they’re a good year-round snack, with individually wrapped cookies to grab and go.

In the summer, the caramel won’t get drippy: just nicely creamy.

If you insist, warm it over your hot drink; or for 10 seconds in the microwave.
 
 
BEYOND COFFEE: MORE USES FOR STROOPWAFELS

 
 
GET YOUR STROOPWAFELS

Stroopwafels are sold in boxes individually wrapped, in 8-packs, in Delft-style gift tins, and other configurations.

They even sell boxes of cookie crumbs from the manufacturing line, for ice cream or oatmeal topping, or to mix into pancake batter.

The line is all natural, non-GMO and suitable for vegetarians.

Get your Stoopwafels:

Head to FingerLickingDutch.com.

Want to make your own? Here’s a recipe.
 
 
> THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COOKIES

> THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WAFFLES

> THE HISTORY OF COOKIES

> THE HISTORY OF WAFFLES

*The difference between Holland and The Netherlands: The Netherlands, officially the Kingdom of The Netherlands, consists of 12 provinces, of which Holland refers to two: Noord-Holland North Holland) and Zuid-Holland (South Holland). Amsterdam is in North Holland, Rotterdam is in South Holland, as is The Hague (Den Haag). Utrecht, the fourth-largest city, is not in Holland but is located in the province of Utrecht [source].

[1] Today’s featured recipe: Carne Asada Fries (recipe and photos #1, #3, #6 © Idaho Potato Commission).

[2] Very popular: steak frites, steak with a side of fries (photo © LT Bar & Grill | Hackensack, New Jersey).

[3] Baked fries with bacon, cheddar and scallions. The recipe link is below.

[4] Trending: shoestring fries atop a burger (photo © Chef Eric Levine).

[5] Why do chefs love their fries in duck fat? The rich and elegant duck fat flavor adds a hint of delicious “duckiness.” The recipe link is below. (photo © Benjamin Zanatta | Unsplash).

[6] National Cook A Sweet Potato Day is February 22nd, but you can cook sweet potato fries today—shown here with a Green Goddess dip (photo © Good Eggs).

July 13th is National French Fries Day, a cause for celebration because it’s another reason to have fries—maybe for all three meals!

How many types of French fries have you had? Crinkle cut and curly fries, sure. But how about Boardwalk Fries? Carne Fries? Elvis Fries? Newfie Fries?

Check out the different types of French fries.

We’ve got 15 great French fry recipes below, from baked fries to spiced fries. But let’s start with the American version of Poutine: Carne Asada Fries.

> The history of French fries.

> The different types of fries.

> The different types of potatoes.

> The history of potatoes.

 
 
RECIPE: CARNE ASADA FRIES

Carne asada, which means “grilled steak” in Spanish, is a Mexican dish of grilled and sliced beef (skirt steak, sirloin steak, tenderloin steak, or rib steak).

It is usually cooked with a marinade and some searing to impart a charred flavor. Carne asada can be served as a main dish with rice and beans, or as an ingredient in other dishes.

It is popular as a filling for tacos or burritos.

This recipe was developed by Jonathan Melendez, food blogger from The Candid Appetite, for the Idaho Potato Commission, a source for great potato recipes.

>>> See 17 More French Fry Recipes Below.
 
 
Ingredients

You can save time by purchasing the salsa and guacamole.

 
Preparation

1. MAKE the fries. Heat a large pot (a Dutch oven is great here) over medium-high heat. Fill it a bit less than halfway with vegetable oil. Attach a deep fryer thermometer and heat the oil to 350°F.

2. PEEL the potatoes and cut them into thin fries. Immediately place the fries into a bowl of cold water to prevent them from turning brown and to rinse away the excess starch. Drain the potatoes and dry them thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel. Make sure they’re completely dry; you don’t want any moisture in the oil.

3. FRY the potatoes in batches until light golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir with a slotted spoon and transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Continue frying the rest of the fries.

4. HEAT the oil to 375°F and fry the potatoes a second time (in batches as well), until deep golden brown and crispy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer back to the wire rack and sprinkle with salt to taste.

5. GRILL the steak. First, heat an outdoor grill or a stovetop grill pan, over medium-high heat until hot.

6. COMBINE in a large bowl combine the flap steak with the salt, pepper, granulated garlic, onion, paprika, oregano, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix until evenly seasoned. Cook the meat until charred on both sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and allow to rest for a few minutes before chopping into cubes.

7. ASSEMBLE the fries on an oven-safe platter, baking sheet, or individual ramekins. Sprinkle with the shredded cheese and place in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

8. REMOVE from the oven, top with the chopped carne asada, sour cream, guacamole, tomatoes, pickled jalapeños, cilantro, and queso fresco, as desired. Serve right away.

________________

*Substitute feta, goat cheese, paneer, queso blanco, ricotta salata, or even farmer cheese.
________________

 
 
15 MORE FRENCH FRY RECIPES

 
 
MORE FRIES

 
 
MORE ABOUT FRENCH FRIES

This tip falls in the “food fun” category.

Some of us keep grapes in the freezer as snacks.

The icy grapes are like sorbet with no sugar added.

The grapes have enough natural sugar, and enough water, to create the “sorbet” effect.

You can be satisfied with a few frozen grapes, as opposed to digging into a pint of sorbet or ice cream.

But frozen grapes have another use: as “ice cubes.”

You can freeze grapes to chill wine, iced tea or sparkling water. (It’s best that the drink be pre-chilled.)

Either during or after the drink is finished, the grapes are an extra treat. You can serve the drink with a cocktail pick to spear the grapes.
 
 
HOW TO FREEZE GRAPES

1. BUY the largest grapes you can find. Pull them off the stems and rinse them in a sieve. Turn out onto a paper towel, pat gently and allow to dry naturally. Then, if you have space…

2a. PLACE the grapes in a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Freeze until firm, then transfer to a heavy-duty plastic bags or an airtight container and return to the freezer. Otherwise, just…

2b. PLACE the dry grapes in plastic bags or airtight container and return to the freezer. You’ll have to pry them apart when ready to use, but it’s easy to do.
 
 
MAKE ACTUAL GRAPE ICE CUBES

Here’s another way to have ice cube fun: flavored ice cubes.

You can freeze fruits within an ice cube—not just grapes but raspberries, small strawberries, mint leaves and lemon peel curls or small wedges.

For savory drinks, you can use herbs or small vegetables like grape tomatoes, cucumber pieces, olives or lemon curls in the cubes.

See photo #3, below.

Here are more tips. Bottoms up!
 
 

[1] Frozen grapes (photo © Mike Kenneally | Unsplash).

[2] Table grapes meet their cousin, wine grapes—after they’ve been fermented into alcohol (photo © Bon Voyaged).