Thursday, July 7, 2011

Watermelon Agua Fresca
Prep Time: 25 minutes

4 Cups of cubed and seeded watermelon
1/2 Cup water
1/2 Cup white sugar
1 Medium lime cut into wedges
1 Bunch fresh mint leaves

Combine watermelon and water in a blender and combine until smooth. Add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved.

Place one lime wedge and 3-4 mint leaves in the bottom of a glass and crush with a cocktail muddler, until lime juice and mint leaves are somewhat blended.

Fill glass with ice, and pour watermelon agua fresca over the top. Stir well before serving. To make this into your favorite "adult" version just add rum or vodka and enjoy.
Watermelon Salsa
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Other Time: 1 hour

3 Cups chopped and seeded watermelon
1/2 Cup diced green peppers
2 TBSP fresh lime juice
2 TBSP fresh chopped cilantro
1 TBSP chopped green onion
1 TBSP chopped jalapeno pepper(seeded)
1/2 tsp garlic salt

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl until well mixed. Refrigerate for a minimum 1 hour to let all the flavors combine. Can be served with chips, or as a topping for chicken or fish. Wine Pairings: Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose or Malbec.
Watermelon and Pork Lettuce Wraps
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

1 TBSP olive oil(EVOO)
1 TBSP minced garlic
1 LB lean ground pork
1 tsp Ground ginger
1 Medium white onion, finely chopped
2 Each celery stalks, finely chopped
3/4 Cup shredded carrots
1/2 Cup chopped green onions
1 tsp Soy sauce
1/2 Cup hoisin sauce
3/4 Cup chopped cashews
2 Cups diced, seeded watermelon
12 Each lettuce cups or leaves(your choice)

Heat the EVOO in a large skillet on medium high heat. Add garlic and chopped onions, cook for about 1 minute. Add in the ground pork and ginger, cooking until pork is completely cooked. About 7-10 minutes. Drain off excess grease.

Reduce heat to medium. Add shredded carrots and celery to the pork mixture, combine and cook until carrots and celery begin to soften, about 2-3 minutes.

Stir in soy sauce and chopped green onions, remove from heat. Add the hoisin sauce and cashews, stirring until mix is well blended. Stir in the diced watermelon.

Place mixture in a bowl, and serve with lettuce cups or leaves. Wine Pairings: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling or Zinfandel.
Watermelon Pie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Other Time: 3 hours

1 3oz-package of watermelon gelatin
1/4 Cup water
1 12oz container of frozen whipped topping(thawed)
2 Cups diced and seeded watermelon
1 9-inch prepared graham cracker pie crust

Combine watermelon gelatin mix with water, stirring until well blended. Stir in thawed whipped topping, and watermelon pieces.

Pour mixture into pie crust and place in refrigerator to cool and set, about 3 hours, before serving. Can be topped with and extra dollop of whipped topping if desired. Wine Pairings: Riesling, Chenin Blanc or Gerwurztraminer.
Watermelon and Cucumber Salad
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Other Time: 15 minutes

6 Cups cubed seeded watermelon
4 Cups seeded cucumber
1 tsp salt
1 TBSP white sugar
1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
1 8oz package of crumbled feta cheese(optional)

Combine watermelon, cucumber, salt and white sugar into a large bowl. Toss gently until all ingredients are well mixed. Add feta cheese if desired. Drizzle with 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar and gently toss until well coated.

Refrigerate for a minimum of 15 minutes before serving. Wine Pairings: Champagne, Riesling or Chardonnay.
Watermelon Gazpacho
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Other Time: 1 hour

6 Cups cubed, seeded watermelon
2 Each cucumbers, peeled and diced
2 Each red bell peppers, diced
1 Each medium white onion, diced
1/2 Jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1/4 Cup lemon juice
2 TBSP olive oil(EVOO)
3 TBSP chopped fresh mint
1 TBSP ginger
3 TBSP honey
1/2 Cup pineapple juice
15 Each fresh mint leaves

Set aside fresh mint leaves and about 15-20 pieces of the watermelon for garnish.

Working in batches, place remaining ingredients in a blender, and blend for about 30 seconds per batch. The mixture should be well blended, but still retain some of its texture.

Pour into a large bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour. To serve pour into chilled bowls and garnish with watermelon chunks and 2-3 fresh mint leaves. Wine Pairings: Sauvignon Blanc or Rose.
Watermelon Margarita
Prep Time: 5 minutes

2 tsp white sugar
1 lime wedge
3 1/2 Cups diced, seeded watermelon
1/2 Cup Tequila(your choice)
2 TBSP white sugar
3 TBSP fresh lime juice
1 TBSP Triple-Sec
Lime and watermelon wedges(or balls) for garnish

Place the 2 tsp of sugar on saucer. Rub the rim of glasses with lime wedge, then spin the glass in the sugar and set aside.

Combine remaining ingredients in a blender, and blend til smooth. Add crushed ice to the sugar rimmed glasses, pour margarita over ice. Garnish with lime and watermelon if desired.