Cooking With Watermelon: Recipes That Highlight Its Unique Flavour
Watermelon is a popular beverage ingredient, especially during summer season, because of its high water content, sweetness, and light flavour. It is popular for summertime drinks because of its mild flavour and juicy texture, which mix well with cocktails and mocktails. Watermelon is less popular in cuisine because of its high moisture content, which can make preparation difficult. The flesh may rapidly decompose when heated or cooked, losing its structure and causing more liquid to escape.
However, this is precisely the point at which watermelon cooking takes on a distinctive and flavourful quality. Watermelon gains an unexpected savoury depth and a slightly smokey aroma when it is grilled or roasted. Its subtle flavour allows herbs, citrus, and spices to be absorbed, resulting in recipes that are both multilayered and distinct dishes. Pickling watermelon rinds and using watermelon cubes in savoury salads also highlight how versatile this fruit is, providing a balance of crisp, acidic, and sweet flavours. When watermelon is cooked, it becomes an unexpected and elegant ingredient for one to explore.
5 Recipes To Cook With Watermelon
Spicy Watermelon Hummus
The sweetness of watermelon and the creamy richness of chickpeas are combined in the dish. The earthiness of the chickpeas is counterbalanced by the spice from the chillies. It is a colourful dip with just the right amount of acidity. One cup of boiling chickpeas, 50 ml of fresh watermelon juice, a teaspoon of red chili powder, lemon juice, garlic, a spoonful of tahini, and a drizzle of olive oil can all be combined to create it at home. For extra aroma, garnish with freshly torn mint and lightly toasted sesame seeds. Serve this vibrant hummus with soft pita bread or crisp veggies. It goes well with watermelon citrus fizz, made by combining 15 ml of light gin, 30 ml of watermelon juice, 10 ml of lime juice, and 20 ml of sparkling water. The creamy hummus texture is complemented by the drink's unique taste.
Watermelon Rind Quiche
In this savoury recipe, watermelon rind quiche, the typically discarded white rind takes the stage. In contrast to the richness of the eggs and cheese, the rind softens into a spongy texture with a hint of sweetness. To begin, add the finely chopped watermelon rind and sauté it with the garlic and onions until it becomes transparent. Pour this mixture into a bowl, fold it into a custard made with whisked eggs, fresh cream, and grated cheese, and bake it until it's firm and brown. Add some chopped chives and cracked black pepper as a garnish after taking it out of the oven to enhance the taste. Try the coconut herb cooler, which consists of 30 ml of coconut water, 15 ml of white rum mixed over ice, 30 ml of tonic water and gently muddled mint leaves to go with the quiche. This beverage balances the texture and enhances the savoury flavours of the quiche.
Watermelon Gazpacho
The flavour of watermelon gazpacho combines sweetness, acidity, and a hint of pepper to create a unique soup. Juicy watermelon cubes are combined with cucumber, tomatoes, red bell pepper, lime juice, and a large amount of olive oil. To allow the flavours to mix and give the soup a smooth, silky texture, place it in the refrigerator for at least two hours after blending. Garnish with finely chopped bell peppers, a small, sliced cucumber, and a light drizzle of olive oil before serving to add some colour and freshness. The gin sparkler, which is made by mixing 30 ml of hibiscus-infused gin, 10 ml of tonic water, and 15 ml of lime syrup, goes very well with it.
Grilled Watermelon With Paprika Honey Glaze
The flavours of honey glaze are a better blend of sweet, smoky, and subtly spicy. The sugar in the watermelon caramelises when it is grilled, giving it new flavours. The preparation involves brushing thick watermelon slices with a glaze consisting of honey and a small amount of paprika. To enhance the flavour without sacrificing texture, the slices are placed on a hot grill and charred for only one to two minutes on each side. Add fresh basil leaves as a garnish for a more herbal taste and sea salt flakes for contrast. This dish goes well with watermelon basil spritz, which is made by mixing 15 ml of dry vermouth, 30 ml of sparkling water, and 30 ml of fresh watermelon juice with torn basil leaves.
Pear Watermelon Fruit Pizza
A no-bake dessert that is juicy and crisp with a base that is a large spherical slice of chilled watermelon (seared on grill for more taste), with a layer of thick yoghurt on top that is creamy. For a bright, colourful twist, scatter thinly sliced fresh pear, assorted berries, and mint sprigs over the yoghurt. To add texture and a zesty flavour, garnish with freshly grated lemon zest and a scattering of chia seeds. A citrus cocktail made by mixing 30 ml of orange juice, 10 ml of lime juice, 30 ml of sparkling water, and 15 ml of light gin over ice goes very well with this dish.
Ripe watermelon brings a mild sweetness to salads and pasta toppings as well. In salads, cube or ball it for a juicy contrast against greens, feta, or nuts. For pasta, dice finely and toss with olive oil, basil, and cracked pepper for a unique finish. Its soft texture complements crunchy elements, while the mild sweetness balances savoury flavours, making every dish vibrant and summer themed.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
