Easies

That's shorthand for recipes so simple that a somewhat gifted four-year-old child could put them together. 

"A Mouthful of Stars" by Kim Sunee   Andrews McMeel Publishing 226 pages  $27.99

I read it through looking for appealing dishes with a lay down easy attitude.  The first to catch my eye was a cilantro-jalapeno margarita.  No, I do not have
 a drinking problem.  Put it down in front of me and I'll probably drink it.

The idea is that the following simple syrup is used as an flavor accent; otherwise it's just your regular old margarita.

SIMPLE SYRUP
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 or 3 jalapenos, split the long way
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
a couple of drops of lemon juice.

Put all of the above in a pot and cook at a simmer until the sugar has dissolved.   Strain it, bottle it and keep in the refrigerator

TIPSY MELONS
Charentais melons per number of guests - every one gets a half melon. 
Halve them, scoop out the seeds and fill the now-empty half with a shot or so of port or a dry sherry to your taste.  Serve with slices of prosciutto di Parma, chunks of Mancheto or Parigrano-Reggiano and a handful of almonds. 

GRILLED PEACHES WRAPPED IN PROSCIUTTO
Am saving this one for summer as a change-up from appetizers like the above. 

Quarter the peaches, wrap each quarter in prosciutto and grill till the prosciutto is lightly crisp which has never happened with prosciutto for me.  Pancetta, yes.  Finish with fresh black pepper. 

 How easy are these?