nectarines

Monday through Friday, without fail, you'll find me digging into a bowl of piping-hot oatmeal. Hearty, comforting, and ready in a pinch, it's my go-to weekday breakfast. That said, come Saturday, I like to break away from the basics and whip up something a bit more indulgent and whimsical. Golden and puffy — almost as though defying gravity — dutch babies fit the bill, and then some.

Almost a cross between a popover and a traditional pancake, dutch babies might seem more impressive than their flapjack cousins, but they are actually lower-fuss, with the oven doing most of the heavy lifting. And while I relish more intensive weekend cooking projects, the first thing in the morning, low exertion with a big payoff is far more enticing.

Read on to get the recipe.

There's something so quintessentially Summer about biting into a soft, ripe nectarine, slurping up the sweet, syrupy juice before it seeps down your arm. You know how sugar is good, but caramel is better? Well, the same goes for grilling nectarines. Due to their high sugar content, nectarines caramelize beautifully on a grill. This heavenly dessert only needs two ingredients: nectarines and fluffy honey frozen yogurt.

Learn how to grill nectarines.

Summertime and the barbecuing is easy with this bacon-wrapped shrimp and nectarine appetizer. These bite-size treats are perfect for a hot night party. I used nectarines, but for a more tropical twist, opt for mango or pineapple. Or if you want a little heat, try adding a slice of jalapeño. The sweetness of the fruit is a great contrast with the salty bacon and juicy shrimp. Get the grill hot and listen to these babies sizzle! Keep reading for this incredibly simple recipe.

YumSugar member 21inSF couldn't resist snapping a photo of blush-colored nectarines at the farmers market. Do you have an image of something delicious that you recently made or enjoyed? If so, be sure to upload it in the Savory Sights group in our YumSugar Community!

The other day I got a call from a family friend. "Would you be interested in a peach taste test?" she asked. My answer was an enthusiastic yes! She purchased four types of stone fruit from the farmers market and thought it would be entertaining to taste them all. While she's researching what kind of peach to plant in her garden, I thought the taste test would be a great way to get my dad excited about eating fruit! Normally when I offer him a slice of peach, he politely declines, but when I told him it was a taste test, he was eager to try all four fruits. Conducting a taste test is also a great way to encourage kids to eat more fruit and vegetables. With the farmers markets over flowing with in-season produce, it's an opportune time to purchase several varieties of one item and taste the differences. Here's what we did:

1. Use all your senses. Before you slice open the peach (or whatever fruit), touch and smell it.
2. Cut the peaches in half and look at the flesh. Compare and contrast the colors of each fruit.
3. Slice into pieces and taste. Note how the flavors of one can affect the taste of another. For example, the white nectarine, when paired with the other peaches, tasted horribly bitter. Later, when I went back and took another taste of it, not after eating the others, it tasted sweet and juicy.

Have you ever performed a taste test? What are your tips for getting nonfruit eaters to consume more fresh produce?

One of the ways my dad first introduced our family to fish was by serving it with a fresh fruit salsa. He would take a mild flaky fish, like mahi mahi or halibut, and top it with a mixture of pineapple, strawberries, and melon. This recipe applies the same technique to grilled salmon. The sweetness of the nectarine and blueberry salsa balances out the spiciness of the barbecue sauce. Pecans — an interesting addition — provide a much-needed crunch. For a complete meal, serve with a side of lightly dressed mixed greens. Check out the recipe here