Melon Bacon Boats Recipes

WATERMELON BOAT

Steps:

• Combine lemon juice, sugar and flour in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Stir 1/4 cup into eggs; return all to pan. Cook and stir for 15 minutes or until mixture coasts a spoon (do not boil). Cool. Fold in whipped cream; cover and chill until serving. , For watermelon boat, cut a thin slice from bottom of melon with a sharp knife to allow it to sit flat (see diagram at right). Mark a horizontal cutting line 2 in. above center of melon. With a long sharp knife, cut into melon along cutting line, making sure to cut all the way through. Gently pull off top section of rind. , Remove fruit from both sections and cut into cubes or balls; set aside. To cut decorative edge, place melon on its side. Position a 2-1/2-in. star cookie cutter against inside edge of melon, allowing only half of star to cut through rind (see diagram below). Use a mallet if necessary to help push cookie cutter through melon. , Insert a toothpick into flat edge of removed piece. Attach piece onto melon edge where last cut ends. Repeat cutting and attaching pieces until entire melon edge is completed. , In a large bowl, combine honeydew, cantaloupe, strawberries, grapes and watermelon; spoon into boat. Serve with dressing.

GRILLED ZUCCHINI PIZZA BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill for medium heat.
• Slice the zucchinis in half lengthwise. Score the cut side of the zucchinis in a cross-hatch pattern to create 1/2-inch squares across the surface, making sure not to cut through the skin.
• Mix the olive oil with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt and red pepper flakes if using. Spread 1 teaspoon oil mix on the cut side of each zucchini, dividing any extra between the zucchinis.
• Lightly oil the grill grates with olive oil. Place the zucchini halves cut-side up on the grill. Close the lid and grill until the skin side has dark grill marks, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Reduce the grill heat to medium-low and flip the zucchini cut-side down. Grill, covered, until softened, marked by the grill and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Flip the zucchinis again so they are cut-side up. Spread 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce onto each zucchini, then sprinkle each with about 2 tablespoons mozzarella and a few pepperonis. Cover and grill until mozzarella is melted, bubbling and starting to brown at the edges, 5 to 6 minutes. Sprinkle with more salt and Italian seasoning.

STUFFED PLANTAIN BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut off the tips of the plantains, then make a slit along the back of each, cutting through the skin from tip to tip. Remove the plantain skins using your thumb. Lay each plantain on its side and slice off a thin layer on the back (the outer curved area), about 3 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. This will flatten the curved area and help the plantains sit on the cutting board without tipping over. Using a paring knife, make a 1-inch-deep slit along the middle of the front side of each plantain, starting from an inch away from one tip and stopping at an inch away from the other tip. Use your index or pinky finger to carefully widen each slit until you see the little black seeds in the middle of the plantain. Brush the plantains all over with about 1 tablespoon of the oil and sprinkle them with salt. Oil a baking sheet with another tablespoon of oil and add the plantains.
• Bake the plantains for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue to bake until the plantains are yellowish and soft to the touch and the tips, sides and bottoms are caramelized, about 15 minutes. Allow to cool on the baking sheet. Once the plantains cool, they can be easily lifted without breaking.
• To make the stuffing, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the bell pepper and tomato and cook until softened slightly, about 2 minutes. Add the corned beef and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is heated through, about 3 minutes. Mix in the curry, thyme, granulated garlic, bouillon powder and cayenne pepper, if using. Let simmer for 2 minutes. Allow to cool until warm.
• Use a teaspoon to scoop the stuffing into the opening of each plantain. Eat the plantain boat like you would a hot dog.