New Ways to Enjoy Watermelon — Meatless Monday

entwine, May 2011

entwine, May 2011

Photo by: Yunhee Kim ©2011, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Yunhee Kim, 2011, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Light, bright and naturally sweet, juicy watermelon is an in-season fruit that fills you up without weighing you down. Though it’s most common on breakfast and brunch tables, it shines in meals any time of day, pairing well with sweet and savory dishes alike. Check out a few of Food Network’s favorite new ways to cook with and serve watermelon.

Food Network Magazine’s Watermelon and Haloumi Salad (pictured above) is a simple, satisfying dish that takes just 20 minutes to make. What in the world is haloumi? Great question. It’s a Greek cheese that’s mild in flavor and fairly firm in texture, so it easily can be fried or grilled without melting. This recipe mixes golden-fried haloumi with sweet chunks of melon, a few slices of crunchy celery and a tangy vinaigrette.

If you’ve never tasted cooked watermelon, give it a try in Claire Robinson’s Grilled Watermelon Salad. She cooks the melon for just a few minutes on an indoor grill pan then adds it to a bed of peppery arugula and tops it with goat cheese and a balsamic syrup. With just five ingredients, this seasonal plate is a must-try recipe.

For an after-dinner sweet treat that’s easy enough to prepare on a weeknight, try Grilled Watermelon Sundae, served with creamy vanilla ice cream and cool whipped cream. Brush the melon with a lime-laced simple syrup before grilling to allow the fruit to caramelize while cooking. A shower of fresh mint leaves completes this quick, no-fuss dessert.

watermelon

LH_FN01_Watermellon2.tif

Prop Stylist: Anna Beckman

What’s a roundup of watermelon recipes if it doesn’t include Food Network Magazine’s crave-worthy Watermelon Sours? To mix this thirst-quenching cocktail, puree watermelon, strain it of seeds and any residual chunks and add generous splashes of fruit-flavored liqueur, gin and sour mix. Before serving, finish with sparkling rosé and garnish each glass with zesty lime. One batch of sours makes up to 12 drinks, so invite your friends to share this adults-only sipper.

Meatless Monday, an international movement, encourages people everywhere to cut meat one day a week for personal and planetary health. Browse more meat-free meals.

Next Up

Watermelon Gazpacho — Meatless Monday

For a 15-minute no-stove recipe, use a blender to make Tyler’s Watermelon Gazpacho. Fresh watermelon gets a kick from serrano chile and a tangy bite from crumbled feta cheese.

Watermelon Gazpacho — Meatless Monday

Cool down a sticky summer night with this refreshing Watermelon Gazpacho.

Arugula and Watermelon Salad — Meatless Monday

In true Barefoot Contessa fashion, Ina Garten takes the traditional salad to the next level in her go-to salad, featuring a craveable combination of peppery greens and juicy, seasonal fruit.

An Entree Salad You’ll Enjoy Eating — Meatless Monday

For Meatless Monday dinner tonight, prepare Food Network Magazine's Big Greek Salad, an easy, no-cook meal featuring fresh lettuce, kalamata olives and capers.

Beyond Soup: New Ways to Use Butternut Squash — Meatless Monday

Check out Food Network's favorite ways to enjoy butternut squash with these must-try pasta and risotto recipes for Meatless Monday.

Macaroni and Cheese Two Ways — Meatless Monday

For Meatless Monday dinner this week, try these family-friendly bake and no-bake macaroni and cheese recipes from Food Network.

New Year's Resolution: Go Meatless on Mondays

Start the New Year on a healthful note by cooking up Food Network's favorite meatless entrees, and check back each Monday to find more simple vegetarian meals.

The Pioneer Woman's New York-Style Chopped Salad — Meatless Monday

Set up a family-friendly salad bar for Meatless Monday dinner with this five-star recipe for a New York-Style Chopped Salad from Food Network's Ree Drummod.