The watermelon season has arrived and we should not miss the opportunity to enrich our bodies with the nutrients of these August berries.
Watermelon and its magical properties
Watermelon is a dietary product that has virtually no contraindications for consumption. Watermelon is 80% water, so it perfectly quenches thirst and gives you a feeling of coolness. On a hot summer day, you simply cannot find a more suitable delicacy. In addition, no matter what you cook from it, the dish will always be light, so you don’t have to worry about your figure.
What to cook with watermelon
Watermelon can also be eaten “alive” - it is an excellent dessert in itself. Watermelon goes well with creamy ice cream and makes a very tasty sorbet.
Watermelon can be used to make watermelon juice and watermelon ice for drinks. A variety of cocktails are made from watermelon, such as a cruchon or Margarita. Children will be delighted with the pink “champagne”, the role of which will be played by fresh watermelon diluted with sparkling water.
Watermelon is good for more than just desserts. It is suitable for salads and goes well with vegetables. Try making watermelon gazpacho: beat 1.5 kg of watermelon pulp and 3 tomatoes in a blender, cut cucumber, green onion feathers, fresh mint, basil into small slices, add salt and pepper and leave to steep overnight in the refrigerator.
After you have extracted the pulp from the watermelon, do not throw it away. watermelon rinds- it will come out of them delicious jam. To do this, boil finely chopped peels in sugar syrup until transparent. During the cooking process, add a little citric acid, then the jam will acquire a beautiful color and will not become sugary.
Recipes with watermelon
Watermelon with coconut “Snowy Peaks”
For the recipe you will need:
- watermelon - 2.5 kg
- strawberry jam - 100g
- coconut - 100g
Preparation
- Cut the watermelon into slices and then each into vertical pieces.
- Heat the jam in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave.
- Place coconut in a large bowl. Brush the watermelon with the warmed jam using a brush and dip into the coconut.
- Place the pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Place in the freezer overnight. Remove from freezer 5 minutes before serving.
Candied watermelon rinds
Ingredients used in the recipe:
- watermelon (rinds) - 2 kg
- sugar - 700g
- water - 1 l
- powdered sugar - 100g
Cooking Instructions:
- Watermelon rinds are peeled, cut into pieces, washed in cold water, dip in 70% sugar syrup and cook until they are saturated with sugar and become transparent.
- Then they are thrown into a sieve. Allow the syrup to drain and then lay it out in one row on plywood sheets. Dry at room temperature or in the oven at 35-40°C for 12-24 hours.
- After this, the crusts are sprinkled with powdered sugar or granulated sugar, mixed well, excess sugar is sifted out, dried again (without heating) and placed in jars, which are covered with parchment, cellophane or airtight lids.
- Candied fruits are used to decorate confectionery products and as a dessert for tea.
Drink with watermelon
For the recipe you will need:
- watermelon - 1 pc. medium size
- orange or cherry juice - 2 cups
- sparkling water - 1 l
- zest of 1 lemon or orange
- lemon juice or citric acid - to taste
Preparation
- Cut off the “lid” 5-6 cm thick from the watermelon, chop the pulp with a knife or spoon, remove the seeds.
- Pour sugar into the watermelon, pour in the juice, add the zest and put in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Using a pouring spoon, pour the infused liquid along with the pulp into glasses, top up with sparkling water and serve immediately.
Melon and its magical properties
Sweet and juicy melon perfectly quenches thirst. It is rich in easy-to-digest sugar (16-18% or more), proteins and starch - so it can easily replace a full meal. Just 150 g of melon contains the daily requirement of folic acid. It contains a lot of silicon, vitamin C, carotene, as well as organic acids, mineral salts of potassium, sodium and iron, due to which this seasonal product normalizes blood composition and calms the nervous system.
Melon fiber and pectin substances act as a mild laxative, cleanse the body of bad cholesterol. However, you should not eat a lot of melon in one sitting - this can overload the intestines.
IN Central Asia A slice of melon is the traditional end to a hearty meal - and this is no coincidence. It helps digest heavy foods, just like lemon or mint. However, if you decide not to limit yourself to one slice, it is better to wait a little and eat the melon 2-3 hours after lunch - then all the beneficial substances will be absorbed to the maximum.
Useful and medicinal properties Melons are widely used to strengthen the nervous system.
Melon pulp contains substances that help the production of serotonin - the “happiness hormone”. If you feel sad, eat a couple of pieces of melon and your mood will improve!
Juice cleansing blitz therapy, popular all over the world, is based specifically on melon juice.. And all because melon juice is absorbed faster than others. To remove toxins, it is recommended to drink melon juice every morning on an empty stomach with the addition of the juice of any berries (previously frozen) for 20 days.
What to cook with melon?
Melon lends itself perfectly to freezing. Cut the pulp into cubes or make balls using a special spoon, place in a freezer bag, release the air and place in the freezer. In this form, melon can be stored for up to 3 months. Frozen melon can be added to morning smoothies and cocktails.
Traditional melon desserts - jam, jam, jelly, marmalade, candied fruits. Everyone knows a type of dried fruit - dried melon. Melon honey (bekmes) healing properties equivalent to bee honey.
Sorbet is prepared from melon pulp, and it is also added to fruit salad.- it goes well with almost all fruits and berries, especially pineapple. However, melon dishes can be not only sweet. A classic appetizer served in Mediterranean countries as an aperitif is a slice of melon seasoned with pepper and wrapped in a strip of ham.
As an appetizer for champagne, you can prepare a “kebab” of mozzarella and melon balls, strung alternately on skewers.
Melon with black grapes
Ingredients:
- melon (medium) - 1 piece
- black grapes - 1 glass
- dry white wine - 1 tbsp.
- sugar - 100g
- gelatin - 1 tsp.
- rum - 1 tsp.
Preparation
- Wash a medium-sized bright yellow melon, cut off the top, scoop out the seeds with a spoon, and let the liquid drain.
- Boil wine and sugar, remove from heat, cool slightly, dissolve gelatin and heat again until dissolved. Add rum.
- Place the berries in the melon, pour over the prepared jelly and leave to cool. Stir gently with a spoon so that the berries are evenly distributed inside.
- You can stir while the syrup is still liquid. Cut the frozen melon with jelly into neat slices.
Melon ice cream
For the recipe you will need:
- melon - 1.5 kg
- sugar - 180g
- lemon - 2 pcs
- mint - to taste
Preparation
- Cut the melon into several pieces, remove the seeds, and scoop out the pulp with a spoon. Make a puree from the pulp, mix it with sugar and lemon juice.
- Add chopped mint.
- Place the puree into molds with a lid and place in the freezer for 2 hours. Remove the puree from the molds, mix again with a mixer and place in the molds in the freezer again for 2 hours.
- Place the finished ice cream on melon crusts and garnish with fresh mint.
Watermelon salad
Ingredients
- 100 g lettuce
- 50 g arugula
- 1 red onion
- 2 table. spoons of lemon juice
- 100 g olives
- 150 g feta cheese
- 1 fresh cucumber
- 300 g watermelon pulp
- 4 table. spoons of olive oil
- freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Wash the salads and arugula, dry thoroughly and tear. Peel the onion and cut into half rings, pour in lemon juice and leave for 10 minutes. Cut the olives into rings, crumble the feta cheese. Wash the cucumber, cut off the ends, cut the fruit into thin slices. Cut the watermelon pulp into small slices. Mix all ingredients except feta. Place into serving bowls, sprinkle with feta and pepper.
Watermelon gazpacho
Ingredients
- 400 g watermelon pulp
- 200 g red currants
- 3 table. spoons of lime juice
- 3 cucumbers
- 2 stalks of celery
- 1 pod red sweet pepper
- 1 red onion
- 20 g mint
Preparation
Cut the watermelon pulp into slices. Wash the red currants, dry them and squeeze out the juice using a juicer. Place watermelon pulp, currant juice and lime juice in a blender bowl and grind. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Wash the cucumbers and celery stalks, dry and finely chop. Wash the sweet pepper pod, dry it, cut each one in half and remove the core and seeds. Cut the pulp into small cubes. Peel the onion and chop finely. Mix all the prepared ingredients, pour in the watermelon-currant mixture and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Wash the mint, dry well and chop. Before serving, add chopped mint to each plate of gazpacho. You can sprinkle with freshly ground pepper.
Dessert with ice cream
Ingredients
- 1 small watermelon
- 1 orange,
- 100 g each raspberries and black currants
- 2 apricots
- 100 ml lemon juice
- 70 g sugar
- 20 ml white rum
- 200 g ice cream
- mint sprigs for decoration.
Preparation
Wash the watermelon, dry it well and cut off the top (about 1/3). Then use a spoon to remove the pulp from it (you can cut out small balls). Remove the seeds and chop the pulp coarsely. Cut out the edges of the resulting “basket.” Wash the oranges, peel them, divide them into segments and cut each into pieces, removing the membranes. Wash the berries and dry well on a paper towel. Wash the apricots, dry them, remove the seeds, cut the pulp into strips. Mix slices (balls) of watermelon, oranges, berries and apricots and place in a watermelon “basket”. Make syrup from lemon juice and sugar, add rum and bring to a boil. Let cool and pour over fruit. Place ice cream balls on top and serve immediately. Garnish with mint sprigs.
Chicken salad with melon
Ingredients
- 1 chicken fillet
- 5 table. spoons of olive oil
- 300 g melon pulp
- 150 g of various salads
- 1 red onion
- 1 table. spoons of lemon juice
- 3 table. spoons of olive oil
- 1 table. spoon of heavy cream
- pinch of sugar
- 70 g pine nuts
- ground black pepper
Preparation
Chicken fillet wash, dry and cut into strips. Fry in olive oil until browned, add salt and pepper. Cut the melon pulp into slices. Wash the salads, dry and tear. Toast the pine nuts without fat. Mix chicken fillet with melon and salad. For the sauce, chop the onion very finely. Mix the remaining butter with lemon juice, sugar, cream and beat. Mix with onion, salt and pepper. Pour over salad ingredients and sprinkle with nuts.
Melon sorbet
Ingredients
- 1 melon weighing about 1 kg
- juice of 2 oranges
- 200 g sugar
Preparation
Wash the melon, peel it, cut the pulp. Grind in a blender and combine with orange juice. Add sugar and mix well. Place in a plastic container and put in the freezer for 1.5 hours. After every hour, mix the mixture thoroughly. Repeat 3 times. Before serving, the sorbet can be decorated with orange zest.
Watermelon and melon are two of the most delicious reasons to love summer. These natural delicacies best quench thirst in the heat, recharge the body with vitamins and simply provide pleasure. That's why everyone loves watermelon and melon dishes so much.
The third one is not superfluous
The simplest thing you can make from watermelon and melon is. For it we will need 1 kg of watermelon pulp and two types of melon: ½ melon melon and a whole honey melon. Cut everything into small cubes or using a special spoon - into balls, and combine in a salad bowl. Now let's do the signature dressing. Grate 1 tbsp on a fine grater. l. ginger root, mix it with the juice of 1 lime and ½ orange. Add 3 sprigs of chopped mint, 1 tsp. honey and a pinch of salt. All that remains is to season the salad and let it brew. In half an hour it will be saturated with aromatic juices and become even tastier. You can add pieces of spicy cheese to this salad, it will also turn out very tasty!
Ice and fire
Melon is a capricious fruit and does not get along well with other foods. However, pies with melon, in particular charlotte, turn out to be extremely successful. Beat 4 eggs with a mixer, gradually sprinkling 150 g of sugar. Keep in mind that the melon will also add sweetness to the baked goods, so adjust the amount of sugar to taste. When the mass turns white, add 170 g of flour, 1 tsp. baking powder, ½ tsp. cinnamon, vanilla on the tip of a knife and beat again. Pour half of the dough into a baking dish, spread 300 g of melon cubes in a generous layer and fill with the remaining dough. We will bake the charlotte with melon for 30 minutes at 180°C. It's best served hot with vanilla ice cream.
Honey Full Moon
We continue to fantasize with summer baking and this time we are preparing manna with. Beat 3 eggs with 100 g of sugar and ½ tsp. salt. Without stopping whisking, pour in 200 ml of kefir and 100 ml of melted butter. Add 250 g of semolina, 80 g of flour, ½ tsp. soda slaked with vinegar, a pinch of vanillin and knead the dough. It will turn out watery, like for pancakes. Using a blender, turn 500 g of melon into puree and drain the juice. Mix the pulp with the dough. Grease a round mold with oil, sprinkle with semolina and pour in the dough. Place the pie in an oven preheated to 180°C for 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle the finished manna with powdered sugar and serve immediately.
Golden placers of summer
Pickled melon will help you take a piece of August into the winter. Combine 30 g of honey, 200 ml of water, a cinnamon stick, 2-3 cloves in a saucepan and, stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil. Pour in 200 ml of 6% vinegar and let the marinade cool slightly. At this time, peel 700 g of melon, cut the pulp into cubes, place in clean half-liter jars and fill with marinade. Place the jars in a large saucepan, fill them with water up to the shoulders, boil over low heat for 40 minutes and cover with nylon lids. By the way, in the old days, pickled melon was served with fried meat. Why don’t we repeat the experience of our wise ancestors?
fiery heart
Watermelon is delicious on its own, but you can always make it even tastier. For example, cook fried watermelon. Cut the middle fruit into slices with the peel, chop the pulp into triangles and remove the seeds. We dilute 4 tbsp. l. starch in 60 ml of water. Beat 3 whites into a fluffy mass, add starch with a pinch of vanilla. First roll each slice of watermelon in flour, then dip it in protein batter and place it in a hot frying pan with plenty of oil. Once they are crispy golden brown, place them on a plate and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Sweet tooth lovers will thank you.
Sweet illusion
Original watermelon jelly will give your family a small holiday. Cut the watermelon in half, scrape out the pulp completely and remove the seeds. Beat it with a blender and strain all the juice through cheesecloth. Soak 25 g of gelatin in 200 ml of water. Rinse the watermelon bowls with water and blot them paper towels. We combine watermelon juice with gelatin, heat it slightly and pour 3 cm into the bowls. After cooling a little, put them in the freezer for 20 minutes so that the jelly sets. Repeat layers to the very top of the bowl and put in the refrigerator for another 3 hours. Cut the jelly into slices with the peel, and your household will be delighted.
Scarlet dreams in crystal
Watermelon sorbet is the king of summer desserts. To prepare it, we will need a medium watermelon, from which we will extract the pulp, coarsely cut it into cubes and remove all the seeds. We'll send her for 40 minutes to freezer. And at this time we will prepare syrup from 50 g of sugar and 50 ml of water. Also squeeze the juice from 2 lemons and finely chop a small bunch of mint. Place frozen watermelon cubes in a blender bowl, pour lemon juice and syrup over them, add mint and beat until smooth. You can pour 100-150 ml of white wine or champagne here, and you will have an amazing dessert for a summer party.
Photo: Sergiy Bykhunenko/Rusmediabank.ru
On the hottest days, when we are languishing in the hot urban jungle, the best thing to do is to prepare delicious and original dishes from melon or watermelon. Easy to prepare, low in calories, magical taste, this is exactly why we love unforgettable watermelon and melon dishes.Creamy melon dessert
A very tasty, cooling dish in the heat that is easy to prepare. This creamy melon dessert is suitable for both adults and children, the main thing is to make sure that children do not eat too much of it.
To prepare a creamy melon dessert we will need:
Cooking method:
Peel the walnuts, lightly fry in a dry frying pan, sprinkle with powdered sugar on top. Mix freshly squeezed lemon juice with honey and refrigerate for a few minutes. Peel the bananas and melon and cut into cubes.
Place bananas, melon, walnuts in powdered sugar, mix. Pour lemon juice and honey on top.
Insanely delicious!
Pies with melon and apples
Very delicious pies, which must be eaten cold, include apples. This recipe is perfect if the family decides to go on a picnic; melon pies are a great alternative to tired sandwiches. Children love melon pies, which is why this recipe is worth writing down.
To prepare pies with melon and apples we will need:
To prepare the dough:
300 ml milk;
- 1 egg;
- 1/2 cup sugar;
- 3 teaspoons of vegetable oil;
- 1 teaspoon of salt;
1 teaspoon of dry yeast;
- 1/2 kg of flour (approximately).
To prepare the filling:
200 g melon pulp;
- 3 apples;
- 100 g sugar.
Dough:
Take a large saucepan, dilute yeast in warm milk (half a glass), wait 15 minutes, add the rest of the warm milk, egg, sugar, salt, vegetable oil and stir. Then carefully add flour in small portions, mixing thoroughly. The dough should come away easily from your hands. Cover the pan with the dough with a towel and place in a warm place for 2 hours.
Filling:
Peel the apples, cut into medium cubes, add sugar, wait for the apples to give juice. Cut the melon pulp into medium cubes and mix with the apples.
Wait for the dough to rise, remove it from the pan, sprinkle with flour, knead, divide into equal pieces, and roll out the dough from each piece into a pie. Form the filled pies, put them in the oven, brush the tops with beaten egg, and bake at 180 C for 30 minutes.
Serve at room temperature.
Watermelon and sweet tomato salad
A delicious salad, which for some reason is rarely prepared, although this dish could rightfully become a decoration for any table.
To prepare a watermelon and tomato salad we will need:
100 g watermelon pulp;
- 100 g cherry tomatoes;
- 1 tbsp. spoon of olive oil;
- 10 g mint leaves;
- salt to taste.
Cooking method:
Pour boiling water over cherry tomatoes or any sweet tomatoes and remove the skin. Cut large tomatoes into pieces, leave cherry tomatoes whole. Peel the watermelon, cut into pieces, mix carefully with the tomatoes, add finely chopped mint leaves, salt to taste, sprinkle olive oil. Let sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
4-5 tomatoes, 1 small onion, 20 g green onions, 2 avocados, 2 cloves garlic, small bunch of cilantro, 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp. Tabasco sauce, salt.
Cooking time: 20 minutes.
Average cost: 100 rubles for 5 servings.
Pour boiling water over the tomatoes, peel off the skins, and remove large seeds. Finely chop the onion and cilantro. Cut the avocado into halves, remove the pit and scoop out the pulp with a spoon. Now let’s take care of the watermelon: remove the seeds and beat in a blender, gradually adding all the other ingredients. Add vinegar and Tabasco before serving. You can do without them (replace with 1 tablespoon of cranberries). The main thing is to add salt to taste. You can decorate with cheese or olives. A very tasty light summer soup.
What are the benefits: this cold soup– simply a storehouse of vitamins and microelements. The ingredients are not cooked. Avocados contain many healthy smart fats. Carotenes, vitamin C and polyphenols balance the salt content, making the soup healthy for the heart.
Photo Photobank "Lori"
Chicken with melon (quick dinner for your loved one)
You will need: 4 pieces of chicken fillet, 300 g melon, dry basil, a glass of cream, Russian cheese (or feta), salt and pepper to taste.
Cooking time: 50 minutes.
Average price: 130 rubles.
Beat the fillet pieces, add salt, pepper, and basil. Place in a small container. Grate the melon pulp using a grater or mash it with a fork. Place on each fillet. Fill with cream. And sprinkle grated cheese on top. And into the oven for 40 minutes. It is the melon that will give the chicken a special aroma and softness.
What are the benefits: This dish is easily digestible and useful for anyone who suffers from overstrain at work. Chicken with melon has good composition amino acids, which is also important for children’s nutrition. This construction material for bones and muscles, development of mental abilities. Women, especially those of reproductive age, need to know that chicken meat has a beneficial effect on the female reproductive organs due to the vitamins B9 and B12 it contains. The combination of cream and melon helps with hypertension.
Photo Photobank "Lori"
Quick jam from watermelon rinds
You will need: 1 medium watermelon with a thin rind, 1.2 kg sugar, 3 limes or lemons.
Cooking time: 50 minutes (excluding cooling time).
Average cost: 50 rubles for 2 liter jars.
Cut the watermelon in half. Using a spoon, scoop out all the pulp. We process the peels as follows: cut off all the green outer part and the bright pink inside. We weigh the crusts. We need 1 kg. Cut into one and a half centimeter squares. Pour boiling water over lemon or lime and cut into thin transparent slices. Mix with watermelon rinds. Add sugar to everything, mix and leave for 2 hours. Then put it in the refrigerator for another 8 hours. In the morning, leave at room temperature for 2 hours. Then bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to maximum and cook for 25 minutes. All! Cool for 2 hours, bring to a boil again, cook for 10 minutes, place in sterilized jars and close. Even gourmets can be surprised with such a tasty delicacy. The jar is eaten immediately!
What are the benefits: watermelon rind contains vitamin B. B vitamins are energy sources that all cells of our body need, but primarily the brain and central nervous system.
Photo Photobank "Lori"
Watermelon covered in chocolate (recipe from the TV series “Sex and the City”)
You will need: dark chocolate – 100 g, watermelon – 2 mugs 3 cm thick without seeds, pistachios – 100 g.
Cooking time: up to 30 minutes.
Average cost: 70 rubles.
Cut the rinds off the watermelon. Cut each circle into 8 triangles. Chop the pistachios into fine crumbs (you can crush them, covering them with a cloth). Break the chocolate into squares and melt in a water bath or in the microwave. Dip each piece of watermelon with the narrow side into the chocolate about half its length. We put beautiful watermelon slices on a plate and sprinkle with pistachios - and into the refrigerator. Tasty!
What are the benefits: Not everyone knows, but watermelon combined with chocolate reduces stress and nervousness. And the phenolic compounds of pistachios keep the body youthful by preventing free radicals from destroying cell walls. Relax and... look younger!
Photo Photobank "Lori"
French toast with melon and watermelon
You will need: curd cheese – 50 g, 1 tbsp. l. natural vanilla sugar, sugar - 2 tbsp. l., 0.5 tsp. chopped orange zest, 8 slices of fresh baguette bran bread or crispbread, 2 slices of watermelon, 3 slices of melon.
Cooking time: up to 20 minutes.
Average cost: 55 rubles.
Using a glass, cut out circles from the bread. Or take some bread. Mix cottage cheese with sugar, zest and vanilla. Place the bread mugs into the toaster. Cut small balls from watermelon and melon using a scoring knife and place them on warm toast. Amazingly beautiful, tasty and unusual!
What are the benefits: breakfast for weight loss, that's for sure! And the energy charge will last for a long time. This dish contains vitamin B9, which is almost completely destroyed during heat treatment, but here it is in its pure form. Folic acid is necessary for women during pregnancy and menopause, as well as for anyone who wants to improve memory and get rid of depression.
Photo Photobank "Lori"
Spanish appetizer of melon and ham "Catalonia"
You will need: half a melon, ham - 300 g, small skewers, a special knife for cutting circles (you can use a teaspoon).
Cooking time: 30 minutes.
Average price: 90 rubles.
An appetizer of melon and ham is for real gourmets. Prepared before serving. The melon is cooled in the refrigerator, and the ham, on the contrary, is left at room temperature for 40 minutes. The ham should be thinly sliced so that it melts in your mouth. It’s very simple and quick to prepare: cut out balls of sweet cold melon (the size of a cherry plum). Wrap each piece in thin ham and secure with a skewer. Great taste.
What is the benefit: the rich complex of microelements and vitamins in melon makes it very useful for kidney and cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis. Melon pulp normalizes the water-salt balance, cleansing the body of all unhealthy elements in the body. Can you imagine what a simple but healthy dish it is?