Saturday, May 2, 2015

Dragon Fruit, Saturday Recipe

Going back to my D post during the Challenge, D for Dragon Fruit, I bought one the other day and yesterday I ate it. The store suggested putting it in the fridge before eating it. To tell if it is ripe, it should have a slight give to the flesh when you squeeze it. Any softer, it will be over ripe.
Removing it from the fridge, I cut it in half with a sharp knife.
I then took a serving spoon and scooped out the white flesh (it can be pink too apparently) as shown


As you see, it comes out in a fairly solid lump. Be sure to remove any remnants of the skin from the flesh as it is inedible. You can then chunk it and eat it, add it to fruit salads or I have seen a recipe for adding it to a drink. The fruit has a very delicate and slightly sweet taste. It is very refreshing to eat and I enjoyed it. From what I read, it is very low calorie and full of goodness. And yes, the seeds are edible and more or less unnoticeable.

Cinco de Mayo being on Tuesday, I thought a Mexican style dish would be appropriate.

Vegetable and Rice Burritos with Quesadilla Cheese


Most grocery stores have a refrigerated section of Mexican cheeses; look for quesadilla cheese there. Use the more ­commonly found crumbly queso fresco if quesadilla cheese is not available, or opt for melty Monterey Jack. Warming tortillas prior to adding your filling will help keep the tortillas from tearing or cracking Vegetable and Rice Burritos with Quesadilla Cheese Recipeduring the rolling process—a must-do step for perfect burritos.
Ingredients
4 teaspoons canola oil, divided
1/3 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
1 teaspoon chopped garlic, divided
2/3 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1 tablespoon chopped jalapeño pepper
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced cremini mushrooms
1/2 cup fresh corn kernels
1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced (about 3/4 cup)
3/4 cup halved grape tomatoes
4 (7- to 8-inch) whole-wheat tortillas
4 ounces quesadilla cheese, shredded (about 1 cup packed)
Cilantro leaves (optional)

Preparation

1. Heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon canola oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add rice and 1/2 teaspoon garlic; sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add 2/3 cup water and 1/8 teaspoon salt; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork; stir in jalapeño.
2. Combine sour cream, chopped cilantro, juice, and red pepper in a small bowl.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion; sauté 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic and mushrooms; sauté 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add corn and zucchini; sauté 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and tomatoes; sauté 30 seconds or until tomatoes are thoroughly heated. Remove vegetable mixture from pan. Wipe pan clean with a paper towel.
4. Heat tortillas according to package directions. Divide sour cream mixture evenly among tortillas; spread to a thin layer, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top each tortilla with 1/4 cup cheese, about 1/4 cup rice mixture, and about 1/2 cup vegetable mixture. Roll up each, jelly-roll fashion. Return skillet to medium heat. Add 2 burritos to pan, seam side down; cook 1 minute on each side or until browned. Repeat procedure with remaining burritos. Garnish with cilantro leaves, if desired.
Have a great weekend
Jo_thumb[2]

21 comments:

  1. Hi Jo - the dragon fruit looks interesting ...and I shall get one when I see one anon and give it a try .. cheers Hilary

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    1. Surprised you have never eaten one Hilary. It doesn't have a lot of flavour but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

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  2. I've eaten Dragon fruit and, in my opinion it definitely looks better than it tastes!

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    1. Was it well chilled Mike? I liked it but I agree it does look better. I think it would be great in fruit salads, crispy, fresh, crunchy

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  3. I've never seen dragon fruit in our stores. You must have very exotic supermarkets. I loooooove quesadillas and burritos. I haven't made a burrito in ages. I always just use the shredded cheddar you get in the cheese section. But I have yet to master the technique to roll them. I would watch them do it in San Francisco at the little Mexican place on the corner where I lived but I just never could do it right at home. So I kinda fudge it and do my best, even though the sides come undone.

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    1. They do have some good things in our store. It's a very big chain JoJo.

      Never made burritos myself but I can imagine it would be difficult to roll them.

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  4. I enjoy dragon fruit even though the little seeds can get in between teeth but that is just like strawberries so who cares! It's good. Isn't the inside peel a pretty colour? I like that recipe-sounds yummy

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    1. I had a bit of trouble with the seeds Birgit, but not much. It is pretty inside I agree. I kept thinking of being in the dessert and thirsty. These would make a wonderful thirst quencher.

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  5. That fruit looks gorgeous! I love the spinach & cheese Quesadilla! I usually leave the rice alone.

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    1. I liked it but it certainly has a very delicate taste. Not really into quesadillas, I guess Mexican isn't as big here as in the US. Not that we go out to eat a whole hell of a lot.

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  6. I've looked at dragon fruit at the supermarket and, not knowing how to handle them, have left them there. Next time - when they're in season again - I might get up the courage to try one.

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    1. Do remember the flavour is very delicate. But I think I will certainly be having more.

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  7. I love how this looks. I must try one.

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  8. Dragon Fruit reminds me of Custard Apple. Have you ever tried them?
    http://www.custardapple.com.au/Info-Pages/custard-apple-the-new-super-fruit-of-the-21st-century.html

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    1. Nope I haven't Pinky, will check it out, I have heard of them but that's it.

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  9. I don't think I've every tried dragon fruit. I'll have to change that!

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    1. As I keep emphasising Sherry, it has a very delicate flavour.

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  10. I have never tried dragon fruit, Jo, but thanks to your post I want to! Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. Make sure you put it in the fridge first though.

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