Refreshments: Peach Salsa & Cocktails

peach salsa2

It's hot & humid out there.
That's all I really wanted to complain about today.

To beat the heat, I made a refreshing peach & tomato salsa from Living Tastefully, and served it with grilled swordfish.

Light and refreshing for the dog days of August.



Peach & Tomato Salsa:

• 1 pound tomatoes, heirloom if possible
• 2 ripe, unpeeled peaches, cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons finely shredded basil
• 1 jalapeno pepper, finely minced
• 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (I used less)
• fine sea salt to taste
• freshly ground black pepper to taste



In a large bowl, gently toss together the diced tomatoes, peaches, red onion, basil, jalapeno, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Add the sea salt and pepper to taste. Eat immediately.



Now on to cocktails........here is my new favorite summer drink.

A Cucumber Cooler.

Here is how to make it:

3 parts gin (I like Bombay Sapphire or Hendricks)
1 part 7-up (not diet!)
1 small Persian cucumber, peeled and sliced thin
1 sprig of mint
squeeze of a lime

Muddle about 4 cucumber slices just a bit (sort of like mushing them) at the bottom of a highball glass.

Pour in your gin (you don't have to make it as strong as I like it!) and mix with soda over ice.

Squeeze your lime and throw in a big sprig of mint.



Happy & cool.

Comments

Amy B said…
This drink reminds me of how Martha serves saki in actual hollowed out cucumbers. Even the word cucumber sounds refreshing. Gosh, that salsa is beautiful. You know what would go well with it? Those Tostada brand tortilla chips "with a hint of lime." Love the Buddha statue.
kat said…
So gorgeous! & I love cucumber in a drink, think its why I love Pimm's cups.
StaceyEsq said…
An old boyfriend (who was a fabulous cook) taught me a similar recipe for mango salsa, which he used to pair with grilled swordfish. Your post this morning brought back lots of happy memories!
rcoda said…
We've been on the Mango Salsa kick for a couple of weeks now with cilantro instead of basil. Over grilled shrimp with lemon and garlic marinade. I'll have to try this peach salsa before all the peaches are gone.

I'll have to try me one of those drinks, too!
so cool in front of the statue!
Bob said…
It's like a cucumber mojito! Sounds great. :)
Angelica said…
Wow, that salsa looks delicious! I wish I had all the ingredients at home so I could make some tonight...
Pam said…
I am really into fruit salsas right now - this looks terrific.

I am also really loving the cucumber drink...it looks so refreshing.
Ciao Chow Linda said…
I want some of that salsa and swordfish - and that Buddha!
Eileen said…
The night I made this we just ate it with blue corn chips, but I've been wanting to pair the salsa with pork tenderloins that have a dry chili rub. I like the sound of that hot, spicy pork and the sweet, cool salsa. I bet it was terrific with the fish.
The JR said…
Very pretty. I love your Buddha. I have several.

Ramona
Foodiewife said…
I'm working in foggy and chilly Pacific Grove, CA so it's hard to imagine other places in this world are hot. No matter what the weather, I'd love to nosh on that bowl of salsa (and I wouldn't want to share). What a great drink, too!
I'm envious.
Velva said…
Summer is at its peak! Fresh fruit salsa and cool cucumber and gin cocktail.... I am ready for the weekend.
Kim said…
Your pic of the salsa and the swordfish is absolutely gorgeous - it all sounds delicious.
I'm dreaming about that drink! I need to muddle myself some.
I like peaches and tomatoes together. I made something similar once and everyone loved it. Like how you paired it with the swordfish. Your Buddha is cool presiding over the salsa.
Sam
Olga said…
That peach salsa sounds awesome! So refreshing and such a fun twist.
Lori Lynn said…
Sounds like a great summer drink, just one? No way! Need two to really cool down. Happy, Happy & Cool.
LL
bedbug said…
Thankyou for such a lovely site! Your recipes are written in such an easy manner, that they don't seem intimidating to me. I tried your Peach & Tomato Salsa on Sunday. I didn't have a jalapeno pepper, so used a can of diced green chiles instead. It was WONDERFUL ! I had been wondering what I was going to do with all the tomatoes that have been coming my way via friends & family............that recipe just helped me solve the problem, deliciously!
Anonymous said…
nice post. thanks.