More Flavors from Your Summer Pantry

Add interesting taste and interest to your summer meals with a few ingredients you have on hand in your summer pantry.

Fresh Gingerroot

Try whipping up a zesty Pineapple Salsa (see recipe below) to serve alongside broiled or grilled fish. Then, as a final embellishment, add 1/4 teaspoon of freshly grated gingerroot (sold in supermarkets and gourmet food stores) to the salsa.

Bottled Chutney

Lend an exotic twist to pound cake with this dessert sauce. Just spoon some bottled fruit chutney over slices of cake for a quick dessert topping (it may be necessary to thin the chutney with a few teaspoons of water or fruit juice). This chutney topping is wonderful over ripe summer fruit like peaches and blueberries or ice cream, too.

Cornmeal Polenta

Create a tasty Tamale Pie by spreading hot leftover or canned chili in a 9"x13" baking dish, topping with slices of Homemade Polenta (see the Recipe Swap for recipe) and baking until heated through. Sprinkle each serving with freshly grated Cheddar cheese.

Pineapple Salsa

MAKES ABOUT 1 1/2 CUPS

This salsa is also delicious with grilled shrimp.

1/2 ripe avocado, peeled

Honey to taste (optional)

Finely chop the avocado, mango, tomato, and pineapple into pieces of approximately the same size. Combine in a medium bowl.

Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and stir well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.