Biting into a cold slice of ripe watermelon is the ideal way to cool down on a hot summer’s day.
Watermelon is great for sorbets and drinks and makes a refreshing and unusual salad.
By adding some feta cheese to your salad, the saltiness will bring out the flavour of the watermelon.
The watermelon shell looks attractive when used as a vessel to serve a fruit salad or even a punch, as we have done.
WATERMELON GIN PUNCH
Serves 10-12
1 small watermelon
125ml water
125ml sugar
125ml lime juice
500ml gin
125ml chopped mint
Ice to serve
Cut a lid from the top of the watermelon in a zigzag pattern. Remove carefully and scoop out all the pulp.
Take out the pips. Puree the flesh and press through a sieve.
Combine the sugar and water and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and cool.
Combine the watermelon juice, cooled syrup, lime juice, gin and mint leaves and chill well.
Fill the watermelon shell with ice and pour in the punch.
WATERMELON SALAD
Serves 8-10
5 tomatoes, deseeded and chopped
800g watermelon, deseeded and cut into chunks
1 red onion, finely sliced into rings
4 stalks of celery, sliced
200g feta, cut into cubes
100g black olives, pitted and halved
125ml chopped fresh mint
DRESSING
60ml olive oil
45ml red wine vinegar
10ml honey
5ml Dijon mustard
salt and pepper
In a large bowl, combine the salad ingredients, except for the mint. Stir gently to combine.
Pour over the dressing and allow to marinate for 10-15 minutes. Just before serving, stir in the mint.
DRESSING: In a jug, whisk the ingredients together well.
Sunday Tribune