Pretty in Pink: 6 Dishes Made Better with Watermelon — Summer Soiree

We can all agree that watermelon deserves a place in the fruit salad bowl. But have you ever considered it a possible ingredient in salsa, soup or sangria? If not, now’s the time to start experimenting, as the sweet, crisp fruit is at its peak of seasonal freshness. Make your next summer menu pretty in pink with these good-for-you recipes featuring summer’s quintessential melon.

Tomato and Watermelon Salad (pictured at top)
You may have heard the witticism that “knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.” But rules are meant to be broken, and you’ll start second-guessing everything once you try Alex Guarnaschelli’s Tomato and Watermelon Salad. For the best results, Alex recommends making the salad with chilled watermelon, but without ever refrigerating the tomatoes. “The contrast of temperatures will give the salad an extra-fresh taste,” she says.

Watermelon Gazpacho
Still skeptical about the watermelon-tomato combination? The subtle watermelon flavor in this quick and refreshing gazpacho will make you a believer. The blended fruit keeps the soup light while allowing the dish to retain its signature red-pink hue. Half of a serrano chile adds just the right amount of heat.

Fish Tacos with Watermelon Salsa
Watermelon in the main course? You bet. Stuff grilled fish, sliced avocado and fresh watermelon salsa into corn tortillas for an easy best-of-summer meal that’s ready in 30 minutes.

Watermelon and Halloumi
Your next summer party will be on point with Iron Chef Michael Symon’s easy appetizer. A seared slice of halloumi cheese makes the perfect salty counterpoint to a sweet wedge of watermelon in this simple dish.

Watermelon Sangria
Bobby Flay combines two of summer’s defining fruits, watermelon and strawberries, to create the ideal refresher for a light brunch or summer cocktail hour. Cold rosé and orange liqueur form the sangria’s crisp-sweet base, perfect on a balmy day.

Watermelon Granita
Stifling summer days are difficult to endure without an icy treat in hand. Switch up your usual rotation of ice cream, gelato and sorbet by working Food Network Kitchen’s hyperseasonal granita into the mix. This easy make-ahead dessert of fresh watermelon, sugar and lemon is the solution to your after-dinner sweet tooth. Puree all of the ingredients and freeze in a sheet pan. After a few hours, rake and serve in cups.

Check out more watermelon recipes from family and friends:

Weelicious: Watermelon Cinnamon Granita
Homemade Delish: Refreshing Watermelon Salsa
Creative Culinary: Margarita Watermelon
The Wimpy Vegetarian: Watermelon and Peach Salsa
Dishin & Dishes: Watermelon Jalapeno Agua Fresca
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Watermelon Salsa
Red or Green: Watermelon, Corn & Jalapeno Salad
The Mom 100: Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie
Taste with the Eyes: Unique Watermelon Salad – Pomegranate Syrup, Feta, Cucumber
FN Dish: 6 Party-Ready Ways to Take Watermelon Off the Rind

from Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog http://ift.tt/1VAGHKg