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Tag: watermelon


have a heart

13
February

heart cookie cutter salad

It’s easy to get into the Galentine’s or Valentine’s Day spirit simply by using a heart shaped cookie cutter on something edible!  Transform something ordinary into something extraordinary with a simple cut!

watermelon and mozzarella salad valentine

You have seen me use a cookie cutter on Valentine’s Day before…remember the Valentine stuffed French toast The lavender shortbreads?  Or, even the bird seed for the bird feeder?

Well, today I am taking my Fancy Watermelon Salad (click here for original recipe) and transforming it for Valentine’s Day, simply by cutting the watermelon rounds into hearts!  Easy, right?

watermelon salad trio

I hope I have inspired you to use a heart cookie cutter this Valentine’s Day!  What will you use it on?

Enjoy!

tasty watermelon valentine

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, xo Jackie

Comments Off on have a heart | diy, food & festivities, inspiration, recipe

watermelon gazpacho

12
August

making watermelon gazpacho pleasure in simple things blog

Watermelon is a favorite of mine.  I have shared some of my standard watermelon recipe creations with you in the past, as well as crafts with a watermelon design.  Today, I would like to share someone else’s watermelon recipe!

close up of watermelon gazpacho pleasure in simple things blog

I came across Tyler Florence’s recipe for watermelon gazpacho and had to try it!  Love gazpacho.  Love watermelon.  What’s not to love?  I just had to give it a try!  A cold soup on a hot, humid day – what could be better?!  So, I gave it a try and I was not disappointed!

Tyler Florence watermelon gazpacho on pleasure in simple things blog

Here is the easy, make-in-the-blender recipe:

Tyler Florence’s Watermelon Gazpacho

  • 1 large tomato
  • ½ serrano chile
  • 2 cups cubed seedless watermelon
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons minced red onion
  • ½ English cucumber, seeded and chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons minced fresh dill, plus more for garnish
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese

Puree the tomato, chile and 1 cup watermelon in a blender.  Add the vinegar and olive oil and pulse.  Add the red onion, cucumber and dill, season with salt and pepper and puree until smooth.  Chill at least 30 minutes.  Loosen with a few tablespoons of water, if needed.

Pour the gazpacho into chilled cups or bowls; top with dill, the feta and the remaining watermelon.

Serves 4

watermelon gazpacho in the blender pleasure in simple things blog

My gazpacho did not come out really red like the color of watermelon – as you can see.  I am thinking if the tomato I used was a darker red; it would have helped make a deeper shade of red for the soup.  But, no worries – it tasted wonderful!  What a great first course for company!

enjoying Tyler Florence's watermelon gazpacho recipe pleasure in simple things blog

I hope I have inspired you to try this gazpacho recipe or to experiment with a cold soup of your own!  Have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

finishing up watermelon gazpacho Tyler Florence recipe

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

2 comments » | food & festivities, recipe

fancy watermelon salad

17
May

fancy watermelon salad by pleasure in simple things blog

I love watermelon.  If you read my blog, you also know I love watermelon salad.  I make it by cutting chunks of watermelon and cheese (usually Feta), drizzling it with some extra virgin olive oil and adding cracked black pepper and basil.  Yum!

Inspired by a local restaurant, today I am showing you how I give my watermelon salad an upgrade by turning it into a fancier  ‘watermelon sandwich.’

watermelon salad made by pleasure in simple things blog

I do this by cutting 2 ½” rounds from watermelon slices using a cookie cutter.  I use the same cutter to cut a circle of mozzarella.  I drizzle the ‘sandwich’ I have created with extra virgin olive oil and add some cracked black pepper.  As garnish, I sprinkle crumbled Feta cheese on top and add chopped basil and walnuts.  The finished ‘sandwich’ is just soooo tasty!

cutting watermelon for salad pleasure in simple things blog

The same great watermelon salad I always enjoy, but a much ‘fancier’ version!  It is the perfect size and presentation to use as a first course for your next dinner party!

watermelon salad pleasure in simple things blog

With the great weather ahead – the perfect time to enjoy watermelon – I hope you will consider serving this winning dish to your guests!

Thanks for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

3 comments » | food & festivities, inspiration, recipe

adding a spigot to a watermelon

4
August

watermelon beverage container pleasure in simple things blog

It wasn’t until recently that I heard people were using watermelons as beverage holders. Since yesterday was National Watermelon Day, it seemed the perfect excuse to try my hand at creating one!

I have made many a watermelon basket in my day! Even as a teenager, I loved carving out a watermelon to fill with a fruit salad for a party or get together. The older I got, the more ornate my baskets would become!

national watermelon day using a spigot pleasure in simple things blog

Using a watermelon to create a vessel for a beverage seemed pretty similar to making a watermelon basket. It is an easy concept: Hollow out a watermelon; cut a hole and add a spigot; fill it with a beverage!

To try your hand at making one, first examine your watermelon and decide which way you want it to stand. When you have the top and bottom picked out, make a very thin slice in the ‘bottom’ so it will stand up nice and straight without rolling over. Be careful not to cut too much off, or you could spring a leak in the bottom!

making awatermelon beverage holder pleasure in simple things blog

The spigot is easy to install. Cut a small hole the diameter of the spigot. Then add the spigot – a washer will hug each side of the watermelon; the nut will cap off the inside.

Then, cut off a slice from the top. Use a large, strong metal spoon to scoop out all the good watermelon and reserve it in a big bowl. (I also saved the juice from the watermelon by pouring it into a pitcher.)

Cut a hole for the spigot and position it near the bottom of the watermelon. (Remember that the section of liquid below the level of the spigot will not flow out.)

watermelon spigot on stand pleasure in simple things blog

Now you are ready to fill your beverage container with whatever beverage hits your fancy! I decided to make something of a jazzed up watermelon water. I had enough melon to make the water and still had leftovers for snacking!

watermelon spigot with pleasure in simple things blog

Watermelon Water
6 cups of watermelon, pulverized in a blender (you can count the liquid from the watermelon as part of the 6 cups.)
Juice of one lime (or to taste)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mix ingredients. Strain. Chill. Garnish with basil or mint leaves from garden. ;)

You may decide to fill your watermelon with a punch or some type of alcoholic drink (for those over 21) for your next party. My only advice is to be sure to strain any fruit drinks prior to putting them into the watermelon container. This ensures no pulp will clog up the spigot.

a watermelon spigot instructions pleasure in simple things blog

I know there are spigots marketed now as “watermelon spigots,” but you really don’t need anything special for a watermelon. My spigot cost $4.99. The only adjustment that may be needed is if the spigot is not long enough for the width of your fruit. I needed to shave mine down a little to be sure the washer fit on the back. I probably could have found a longer spigot, but it was easier just to make the width of the watermelon a little thinner in the spot where the spigot attached.

carving a watermelon beverage container pleasure in simple things blog

Now that I know it works, I can try some variations! Just like my watermelon baskets, I can see my beverage holders will also get ‘fancier’ over time! How about a row of fish carved around the top rim? Such possibilities! And, there are so many cute ways to set up a beverage station! Give it a try!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Shabby Nest, Craftberry Bush,  House of Hipsters,  Sand & Sisal and Coastal Charm.

2 comments » | diy, food & festivities, recipe

recreating the freeze pop

23
May

pleasure in simple things watermelon ice pops

Today’s Friday field trip is kickin’ it back to my childhood.

I’ve always loved freeze pops.  When I was a kid, that’s what I called the ice pops that came in a long plastic tube…tubes of sweet iciness that brought with them reminders of many hot, fun summers.  So, when I recently discovered that food-safe plastic tubes were available online, I had no choice but to purchase some – pronto!

pleasure in simple things watermelon basil ice pop

As the years have gone by, I have been more and more hesitant to pick up my old favorites at the grocery stores.  Because, I have to admit, the list of ingredients in those pops is pretty scary!  This made the idea of creating my own even more intriguing!

I have been playing around with possible flavor combinations. I am still working on some recipes…and others, like the basil watermelon or the spicy chocolate, I have already perfected!

pleasure in simple things watermelon ice pops

For Memorial Day, I am making ice pops from my watermelon recipe to share with my partner in freeze pop crime (aka, my son) who has been known to help me devour an entire box in a very (too short to admit) amount of time!

pleasure in simple things watermelon basil ice pop recipe
If you want to make some yourself and don’t have the plastic sleeves, use this recipe with ice pop molds or go old school with small paper cups and wooden sticks.   The recipe can also be frozen up in ice cube trays to add to sparkling water or lemonade.

pleasure in simple things ice pops in plastic sleeves

The ice pop plastic sleeves filled, tied, and ready for the freezer.

To make these frozen confections, I first made basil simple syrup to use as a sweetener for the watermelon.  I love basil with watermelon and the flavor profile makes for a more adult flavor than the watermelon by itself.  The leftover syrup is wonderful for sweetening ice tea or lemonade…it is also great drizzled on fresh strawberries or strawberry shortcake.  Or, it can be a wonderful addition to a summer cocktail!  If you want to add a little ‘kick’ to your pop, I bet a little melon liquor would be a nice addition to the recipe.

pleasure in simple things watermelon basil ice pops

I hope I have inspired you to try creating some of your own frozen treats this weekend.

Remember to take some time this Memorial Day to honor those who have paid the ultimate price to ensure our freedom and to thank all those who serve our country both now and in the past.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Craftberry Bush, Shabby Nest, and Crafts a la Mode.

Comments Off on recreating the freeze pop | food & festivities, nostalgia, recipe

3 best ways to serve watermelon

7
August

3 recipes included

1. plain & coooold

You really can’t beat a piece of cold watermelon in the summer, come on!  My family prefers it cold and all on its own.  I recently tried to serve it to them grilled and it didn’t go over at all.

2. with feta cheese

My favorite way to eat watermelon is with feta cheese…what a combination!  I like to make what I call watermelon salad.

This is when I combine watermelon with feta cheese.  I really love the taste of the two together.   Just combine 1 part feta to 3 parts watermelon.  It is delicious.  If you want to punch it up a little, you can add red pepper flakes, or add a drizzle with a little spice…

Watermelon salad

  • 3 cups seedless watermelon, cut in chunks
  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • Black pepper (or use red pepper flakes if you don’t use the optional drizzle and want some punch)

I sometimes also add fresh basil (or a fresh herb on hand)

Optional Drizzle:

(I wish I could remember where I orignially got the recipe for this drizzle.  I think it was a recipe from a hotel, but I can’t remember which one..if anyone recognizes it, please let me know so I can give proper credit.)

  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 Tablespoons vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons thyme
  • 1 small shallot
  • 1 serrano chile
  • Season with salt

I have served this salad in a watermelon basket for a party.  On Memorial Day or 4th of July, cut the watermelon into star shapes with a cookie cutter to add a patriotic flair.  Watermelon stars can go on skewers to decorate your table.  A piece of watermelon and a piece of feta on a skewer make a great appetizer….they can be drizzled with the optional drizzle or you can provide drizzle in a little ramekin on the side.

A photo of cookie cutter watermelon pieces…a great way to add some fun to a watermelon salad!

3. in a drink

Watermelon is great as a drink component.  If you want a frozen drink, freeze chunks ahead to use in your blender.  The frozen chunks also make great ice cubes for wine.

I love it with citrus…like watermelon lemonade…try this recipe for a refreshing watermelon drink:

Watermelon lemonade

  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 8 cups cubed seedless watermelon
  • 1 cup strawberries
  • 2 cups crushed ice

Blend all ingredients in a blender.

A photo of watermelon lemonade…a refreshing summer drink.

Enjoy your watermelon :)  Thanks for visiting, Jackie

9 comments » | food & festivities

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