Rehydrate with Watermelon
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It’s July and the temperature is soaring to record-breaking levels. As we all head for the air-conditioning, let’s pause for a moment to think about what mid-January in Ontario feels like… Eating fruits is a great way to keep cool in the summer. Watermelon is a great option, like the name says, it contains 90% water…but it is also loaded with vitamins and minerals.
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It a great way to rehydrate because it is rich in the electrolyte potassium and is a more natural alternative to sports drinks (that are loaded with high fructose corn syrup and artificial colours).
There are many ways that you can enjoy watermelon. This week I experimented with watermelon recipes to try some new ways to enjoy its refreshing coolness. Here are my recipes and photos from my kitchen…
| Watermelon Smoothies
This is a super easy summer drink that will impress your friends… Just take large chunks (about 2 cups) of seedless watermelon, cut off the rind and then blend at high speed for 1-2 minutes with ¼ cup of water. Serve chilled. |
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Watermelon Popsicles
If you have leftover smoothie, just pour it into your Popsicle molds and then you have frozen fruit pops (check out last week’s blog by clicking here for more great Popsicle recipes). |
| Frozen Melon Balls
You can even make your own healthy sherbet by using a melon scooper (a great kitchen gadget to invest in).
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A Watermelon Basket– for the “Martha” in all of us…
If you really want to impress your friends, you can even carve a fruit basket out of a watermelon and use it as a serving bowl… A great idea for a BBQ or party. Here is my first attempt at making a watermelon basket.
| Step 1: Use a non-toxic marker to mark the handle of the basket. Use a sharp knife to cut along lines and then slide out piece under the handle. |  |
| Step 2: Next, use the melon scooper to scoop out the melon into a separate bowl. This will be the fruit salad that goes back in the basket once you are done. Scrape out all remaining melon until you can see the white rind. |  |
| Step 3: Cut a design along the edges of the basket. Then add back in your watermelon balls. You can also add cantaloupe and honeydew for a colourful presentation.If you need more tips here is a step-by-step video from about.com that shows you how to make one. |  |
Do you have any favorite watermelon recipes? I’d love to hear from you, so send us your ideas and comments. Here on our blog, you’ll get commentluv. This gives you the opportunity to leave a link back to your own blog when you leave feedback!
Happy Summer,
Stephanie Grylls
