Labor Day Two-fer

I have a lot of recipes that I haven't blogged about. Like 30 of them waiting to be written about and yet I am still baking other things and I continue to get backed up! It's never ending. So I thought I'd treat you to two different recipes today that can be whipped up in no time and would be perfect for this weekend.

I bring you Coleen's Taco Burgers and Strawberry Watermelon Popsicles! The burgers were a nice change from the ordinary. They're made with ground beef but they have the addition of ground Fritos and taco sauce in the patty, making it taste like a taco--on a bun! As Taco Bell says, "Think outside the bun!"

The strawberry watermelon pops were delicious too. They were refreshing and you could taste both fruits. It has a squirt of lime juice that wakes up the fruit but it's not quite distinguishable. I added mini chocolate chips to resemble seeds but they all sunk. So if you add them make sure the pops are semi frozen so they stay suspended in the pop. These are a perfect way to wrap up summer.

A few of you asked me where I got my popsicle molds. I got mine from Goodwill for $3 but the exact mold can be ordered through Amazon and it includes 50 popsicle sticks for under $15.

Taco Burgers from Coleen's Recipes

• 1 lb. extra lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup of crushed Fritos
• 1/4 cup taco sauce
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• cheese and toppings of your choice

Mix the ground beef with the crushed Fritos, taco sauce and salt and pepper.

Shape into patties and grill over medium heat to desired internal temperature. Just before it's finished, top each burger with a slice of cheese and let it melt.

Serve burgers on bun with fresh veggies and more taco sauce if desired.

Makes 3- 1/3 lb. patties.

Watermelon Strawberry Pops

• 1 cup strawberry puree, strained of seeds
• 2 cups seedless watermelon puree, strained
• 1/2 cup sugar
• juice of half a lime
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Add strawberry purees to a bowl. Add sugar and lime juice and stir until sugar has completely dissolved.

Pour mixture into pop molds and insert sticks. Freeze pops until for about an hour til semi frozen then add mini chocolate chips if using. Using the handle of a long spoon or butterknife, press the chips down into the watermelon mixture.

Freeze until solid. Overnight is best.

Makes 8-10 3-oz. popsicles.

Have a great weekend. Be safe and eat well!

Hot Weather Refresher

A couple weeks ago I was searching through back issues of Everyday Food and I spotted a recipe for watermelon salad with rum and mint. But I didn't bookmark it. I just knew I'd be able to find it again when I decided to make it. Then my mom invited us over for Sunday brunch and designated "a fruit dish" to yours truly.

I thought watermelon and cantaloupe! So I went searching for the recipe and guess what? I couldn't find it! So I went to Martha's site and did a little search and found the recipe. Then I made it and didn't like it. The lime, rum and mint sauce sounded so promising, but it was too salty and the rum was overpowering. I tried adding honey and brown sugar, even more lime and it wasn't helping, so I dumped it and started over. You win some you lose some.

I had all the ingredients spread all over the counter, so I came up with my own sauce. And it was tasty and so refreshing. I didn't pour the sauce over the melon though because I wasn't sure if everyone would like it. And I'm glad because all the men in the family disliked it and called it girl food. But my mom and I loved it!

Watermelon & Cantaloupe with Lime and Mint

• 1/2 a large seedless watermelon, cubed or balled
• 1 cantaloupe, cubed or balled
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. honey
• Juice of 1 lime (about 2 Tbsp.)
• Zest of a lime, grated (about 1 tsp.)
• 1-2 tsp. mint leaves, finely sliced

Chop melon into bite size pieces or use a melon baller. Place melon in a large bowl.

Add all over ingredients into a small bowl and whisk together. Pour over melon and serve immediately.

NOTE: If not serving right away then don't toss the melon in the sauce until ready to serve.

P.S. Thanks for all your votes in the BFF challenge. No matter who wins, I'm just thankful for your support.