zip and zing

That's what I need. Seriously.

I have been in a *major* slump. The weather is changing for the better, so I can't blame the heat - or the cold. Work has been a little stressful but nothing more than usual. The boy is wonderful, as always, so it's not that.  I've had a lot on my mind...and yet nothing at the same time. So what gives?

I. don't. know.

I haven't felt like cooking, either...although I suddenly got the urge to just mess around in the kitchen - standing around chopping things seems to clear my head sometimes. Inspired by a pineapple salsa that should have been great but wasn't that we had this past weekend in Birmingham, I decided to make a batch to my taste.

I love fresh pineapple but wanted the salsa to have some tartness and some heat. I threw in some pink grapefruit and the usual salsa suspects: cilantro, red onion, and jalepeno. Something was still missing...the sweetness balance was off now. I reached for something a little unorthodox: crystallized ginger. Dicing it up really fine let it mingle throughout the salsa..and the sugar from it mixed with the juices and really amped up the overall flavor. It was a great accompaniment to a spicy rotisserie chicken and would be great with anything blackened.

Gingered Pineapple and Grapefruit Salsa - makes about 3 cups

• I large ruby red or pink grapefruit - peeled (white stuff too!), segmented, and cut into small random pieces
• 1 small fresh pineapple - cored, peeled, and cut into small random pieces
• 1 medium red onion - cut into small dice
• 1 medium jalepeno - seeded and cut into small dice
• 1/3 bunch fresh cilantro - stems removed and leaves randomly torn into small pieces
• 6 pieces (adjust this to taste) crystallized ginger - cut into small dice
• 1 teaspoon course salt

- Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Allow them to sit together for at least 30 minutes so flavors meld together and the juices of the fruit start to release. Store tightly covered if not serving immediately.

In all the time that I've been blogging...I have never taken part in Weekend Herb Blogging, which takes place over at Kalyn's Kitchen, a site I check in on almost every day. The event is celebrating its SECOND anniversary! This salsa is what I'm bringing to the party! Congrats Kalyn on an wonderful blog and blog event!

Comments

[Kalyn]

Oh wow, this sounds just wonderful. I do love that type of ginger! And of course there's cilantro, my former favorite herb before I met tarragon! (Although truthfully cilantro is probably still my fave!) Thanks for helping celebrate the two year anniversary!

[Katie]

It sounds fresh and exciting! I love fresh pineapple - can't abide the canned stuff!
Plus it's very pretty - spring-like for all of us heading into winter!

[GadgetGeek2]

Though we are salad eaters, we rarely add pineapple to a salad and I'm not sure why? Your certainly looks good, and refreshing. I do have some crystalized ginger somewhere.. Hmmmmmmm

[Sarah]

I know this feeling. I usually just try to acknowledge it and indulge it a bit, knowing that sooner or later it will pass. Sometimes fresh pineapple really helps!

[doodles]

What a great way to get outta a funk. This looks wonderful!

[SmilynStef]

How yummy does this sound.

[Bri]

I totally relate to the cooking doldrums, not being able to come up with anything new, and then suddenly a fun inspired creation. Your crystallized ginger addition is very inspired. I can't quite imagine it, so I may just have to make it myself. Thanks!

[Bri]

I totally relate to the cooking doldrums, not being able to come up with anything new, and then suddenly a fun inspired creation. Your crystallized ginger addition is very inspired. I can't quite imagine it, so I may just have to make it myself. Thanks!

[Bri]

I totally relate to the cooking doldrums, not being able to come up with anything new, and then suddenly a fun inspired creation. Your crystallized ginger addition is very inspired. I can't quite imagine it, so I may just have to make it myself. Thanks!