Nothing reminds us most of being a kid during the summer than eating a dripping-delicious piece of watermelon. Though now that you are an adult, why not take it further and consider watermelon recipes, by adding this seasonal fruit staple into your salads, cocktails, and appetizers for fun? Though watermelons are about 92 percent water, this refreshing fruit is soaked with nutrients such as vitamins A, B6 and C, antioxidants and amino acids. Plus, this quintessential summer snack is fat-free, very low in sodium and has only 40 calories per cup.
Health experts say that eating watermelon regularly is good for your heart and for fighting muscle soreness. To boot, as Livescience reports, “watermelon contains dietary fiber for digestive health as well as potassium, a mineral that helps keep blood pressure capped,” says Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, Health Magazine’s contributing nutrition editor. Here are 8 new recipes using watermelon to try this summer.
1. Watermelon and Manchego Stack with Arugula Pesto
Not only is stacked food pretty to look at, but incredible for the taste buds. This elegant hors d’oeuvre requires you cut two thick slices of Manchego cheese to fit the watermelon squares you create. Then stack the watermelon, cheese, pesto, and repeat.
Read Related: 15 Ways to Make Your Watermelon Fancy
2. Watermelon Cosmo Punch
If you’re planning on hosting a summer cocktail party, knock out your guests with this watermelon punch with a vodka base. You’ll need watermelon puree, fresh lime juice Simple Syrup, and fresh mint. Substitute orange juice for vodka for the virgin version.
3. Watermelon Salad with Mint and Crispy Prosciutto
This refreshing watermelon salad calls for some thinly sliced prosciutto, radishes, quartered scallions, sliced fresh mint, salted peanuts, fresh lime juice, and extra-virgin olive oil. Season lightly with kosher salt and pepper and it’s ready to go.
4. Watermelon and Tomato Gazpacho
When it’s too hot to eat hot soup, whip up this cold watermelon and tomato-based gazpacho. You’ll need a large tomato, serrano chile, watermelon, crumbled feta cheese, red wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, a dash of salt and pepper, and a very cold white wine to eat it with.
5. Watermelon-Peach Salsa and Tomatoes
Add a new spicy kick to your mother’s old fruit cocktail recipe by adding hot pepper jelly, watermelon, peaches, herbs, and ripe tomatoes. Garnish with fresh basil. Perfect for summer parties.
6. Watermelon, Parmesan and Arugula Salad
This, one of our fave watermelon recipes, is easy to make and easy to please summer salad calls for baby arugula leaves, a seedless watermelon, big flakes of parmesan cheese, olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Delicioso!
7. Beef-and-Watermelon Stir-Fry
This sweet and heavenly sirloin beef stir-fry will surprise your family with its juicy originality. Slice the beef and watermelon into strips about the same size, add the sugar snap peas, stir fry it up and enjoy a crunch in every bite. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
8. Spiked Watermelon Pops
Summer decadence is not over just yet! Satisfy your watermelon and vodka cravings by freezing them and putting it on a stick. In a blender, combine watermelon, sugar, vodka and pulsed mint. Pour it into the pop molds, insert the wooden sticks. Freeze for 10 hours. Yes, you must wait.
Photos 2, 4 & 8 courtesy of Food Network.com
