Entertaining

How to incorporate watermelon into every meal

Watermelon

There’s nothing quite as refreshing or fun as biting into a slice of watermelon on a hot day and letting its juices run free. Watermelon is the ultimate summer fruit. Sweet and refreshing, colourful, and fun to eat. It’s also composed of more than 90 percent water and is jam packed with vitamins and antioxidants, which means it will also help keep you hydrated on those hot and humid days. Best of all, it’s extremely versatile. And as you’ll see below, it’s easy to incorporate into appetizers, desserts, and even drinks.

 

Add it to your appetizers:

Summer watermelon salad

Watermelon Feta Salad

If you’re looking to impress your guests, this salad will. It’s a work of art, but simple to make. Watermelon, avocado, feta, and radish are cut into one-inch cubes and placed in a rectangular pattern. Recipe: www.ilanafreddye.com

Watermelon feta guacamole

Watermelon Feta Guac
Photo courtesy of twopeasandtheirpod.com

If you love your guac, but are looking for a twist on the classic app, this could be your answer. Salty feta and smooth avocado combine with the sweet watermelon to make a unique dip that pairs perfectly with tortilla chips. Recipe: www.twopeasandtheirpod.com

Watermelon blueberry salsa

Watermelon Blueberry Salad
Photo courtesy of loveandoliveoil.com

This is a truly unique salsa that is bound to impress everyone. Tomatoes, onions, and spicy jalapeños combine with watermelon, blueberries, lime, and fresh cilantro to create a fun, fruity dip. Recipe: www.loveandoliveoil.com

Watermelon and goat cheese appetizer

Watermelon app
Photo courtesy of afoodcentriclife.com

These adorable one-bites look like they could belong on the dessert table, but are in fact a fresh, no cook appetizer perfect for your next cottage party. Recipe: www.afoodcentriclife.com

Watermelon feta and arugula salad

Watermelon Arugula Feta Salad
Photo courtesy of honestcooking.com

This beautiful salad combines sweet watermelon with bitter greens, feta, pine nuts, and a balsamic drizzle. It’s the perfect light lunch for a hot day. Recipe: www.sharedappetite.com

Grilled watermelon and prosciutto spears

Grilled watermelon and prosciutto
Photo courtesy of southbeachprimal.com

In this sweet and savory recipe, salty prosciutto and sweet watermelon cubes are skewered with fresh basil and then flash grilled to marry the flavours. Recipe: www.southbeachprimal.com

 


Serve it as an after-dinner dessert:

Watermelon popsicles with a dark chocolate drizzle

Watermelon popsicles
Photo courtesy of gotchocolate.com

Crushed watermelon, sweet honey, and milk are frozen into ice cube trays and then garnished with a drizzle of dark chocolate for a petite treat. Recipe: www.gotchocolate.com

Vegan watermelon pizza dessert

Watermelon Pizza
Photo courtesy of thecookiewriter.com

A round slice of watermelon is the base of this simple and refreshing dessert. It’s entirely vegan and gluten free, making it a good choice for people with a variety of dietary restrictions. Recipe: www.thecookiewriter.com

Watermelon lime sorbet slices

Watermelon lime sorbet
Photo courtesy of foodformyfamily.com

This delicious watermelon and lime sorbet is served right back in the watermelon rind for fantastic presentation. Recipe: www.foodformyfamily.com

Strawberry and watermelon cake

Strawberry and watermelon cake
Photo courtesy of trissalicious.com

It’s not very often that watermelon makes an appearance in cak—or any baked good for that matter—so when it does, it’s a great opportunity to eat even more watermelon. Flavours of almond, rose scented crea,  and strawberry accompany the melon in this beautiful layered cake. Recipe: www.trissalicious.com

 

Mix it into a refreshing summer driink:

Watermelon shake

Watermelon Shake
Photo courtesy of food52.com

This creamy watermelon shake is a perfect, cool treat the whole family will enjoy. Recipe: www.food52.com

Watermelon lemonade

Watermelon Lemonade
Photo courtesy of sugarandcharm.com

This is a great lemonade recipe for a large crowd, making it perfect for big parties or a long weekend at the cottage. The addition of the watermelon juice to the homemade lemonade cuts the bitter lemon flavour with a natural sweetness. Recipe: www.sugarandcharm.com

Watermelon mojito

Watermelon Mojito
Photo courtesy of peanutbutterandpeppers.com

This quintessentially summer drink blends watermelon, fresh mint, lime, club soda, and rum. Omit the alcohol for an equally delicious virgin refresher. Recipe: www.peanutbutterandpeppers.com

Watermelon bourbon fizz

Watermelon fizz
Photo courtesy of bakerbynature.com

Sometimes the best recipes are the most simple. This one screams summer.  Bourbon, pureed watermelon, lime juice, and soda water combine to make this refreshing cocktail. Recipe: www.bakerbynature.com