From Linda Larsen,
Your Guide to Busy Cooks.
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I feel we have a moral imperative to eat as many fresh fruits as possible during the spring and summer months. Sure, you can get strawberries in December, but there's nothing like fresh produce from Farmer's Markets and pick-your-own places. Nothing.

Meats cooked with fruit first appeared on my recipe radar after the 1994 Pillsbury Bake-Off. While paging through the cookbook, I noticed many recipes that combine the two. When you think about it, meats and fruits are natural partners. Fruit juices have been used in meat marinades for years since the acid in fruits acts as a natural tenderizer. And the combination of sweet, juicy fruits with rich, savory, tender meats is really fabulous. Many of these easy recipes can be cooked on the grill for no kitchen cleanup at all. And the smoky grill adds another layer of flavor.

When marinating meats, be sure to refrigerate them, well covered, for the time specified. If you marinate the meat too long, it may become mushy from too much contact with the acidic marinade. Also be careful to discard any remaining marinade unless the recipe tells you to boil it, and make sure the food cooks for a few minutes after the last marinade application.

Think about substituting different fruits in these recipes depending on what's in season and what looks best in the store and farmer's markets.

Try the salsa and glaze recipes below on different meats too. And be sure to check out my salsa recipes to add zip to any meal.

RECIPES

• Pork Chops with Peach Salsa
  When you use fresh peaches in this recipe you will not believe how good it tastes.
• Nectarines with Sole
  Sole is such a light and mild flavored fish; the sweet and tart flavor of nectarines is the perfect match.
• Cranberry Turkey Burgers
  Cranberry sauce isn't just for Thanksgiving! Combine it with a bit of mustard and use it to top juicy turker burgers. Yum.
• Pineapple Lamb Chops
  Lamb chops are traditionally served with mint because it cuts through the richness of the meat. Pineapple does too! So combine the two for a refreshing twist in this easy recipe.
• Chicken with Orange Salsa
  I love mandarin oranges; they are delicious, sweet and perfect, and so easy to store. Use this salsa with grilled fish as well.
• Baked Chicken with Apricots
  A combination of fresh and dried apricots along with onions and mustard bakes with tender and juicy chicken in this fabulous recipe.
• Flank Steak with Nectarines
  Can't find nectarines? Use peaches or mangoes instead. And any other steak cut would work well too; tenderloin or ribeye would be wonderful.
• Grilled Pork Chops with Melon
  Sweet and juicy melon paired with tender and juicy pork chops is a real winner.
• Chicken with Fruit Salsa
  I'd substitute fresh nectarines for the pear and use clementines instad of the orange to make this a super summer entree.
• Raspberry Glazed Chicken Breasts
  Just four ingredients combine for a wonderfully tart and beautiful glaze on simple chicken breasts.
• Lemon Spareribs
  Frozen lemonade concentrate and barbecue sauce are all you need for fabulous juicy, sweet, and tart spareribs.
• Plum BBQ Chicken Kabobs
  This easy recipe uses red grapes, but if you can find beautiful ripe plums, use them!
• Baked Sole with Mango
  Ginger, lemon, and soy sauce make a wonderful glaze for simple sole fillets.
• Salmon with Fruit Salsa
  This is one of my favorite salsas using fresh summer fruits. Try it also with grilled chicken and even steaks.
• Glazed Strip Steak with Pineapple Salsa
  The colors in this salsas are so beautiful; pineapple, kiwi, and red bell peppers also taste wonderful.
• Pork with Cherry Sauce
  There are many brands of sweet and sour sauce on the market; choose your favorite for this simple and delicious recipe.
• Apple Cinnamon Glazed Chicken
  This five ingredient recipe uses cinnamon, honey, Dijon mustard and apple jelly for a fabulous glaze on juicy chicken.
• Pineapple Chutney Turkey Tenderloin
  Turkey tenderloins are one of my favorite cuts of meat; they cook quickly and are always tender and juicy; and so good with this simple chutney.
• South Seas Steak
  You could substitute peach or apple preserves for the pineapple preserves in this easy recipe.
• Steak with Apricot Glaze
  Grill some fresh apricots at the end of the steak cooking time and serve with the juicy and tender steak and the sweet and tart glaze.