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Snacking in the Kitchen

~ Culinary Adventures In & Out of the Kitchen. Recipes, Reviews, Culinary Musings.

Category Archives: Watermelon

How to make Lamb Burgers With Pesto at Home, plus a Watermelon Salad with Feta and Basil ~ Recipes from Snacking in the Kitchen

08 Sunday Jul 2012

Posted by snackingkitchen in Burger, Cooking, Gluten Free, Lamb, Recipe, Salad, Watermelon

≈ 2 Comments

I am trying to eat healthier these days.  The word “healthier” means different things to many of us.  For me, I’m attempting to exercise control when it comes to portion size and cut down on processed sugar and carbohydrates (I actually turned down ice cream last night!).  It’s also, finally summer in Seattle, so perhaps, the plates naturally get a lighter makeover.

Last night for dinner I decided to make these Lamb Burgers with Pesto  to go along with a Watermelon Salad with Feta, Basil and Balsamic Glaze (inspired by this similar watermelon salad).  Dinner was a hit! The plates looked vibrant with jeweled cubes of watermelon, sprinkled with ribbons of basil and little morsels of feta cheese.  The lamb burgers turned out especially flavorful, most likely because of the fresh homemade pesto I used.  If you don’t have pesto on hand, feel free to add minced garlic, chopped basil and a touch of oil to the burger mix.
Let’s get cooking!


Ingredients

1 pound ground lamb
2 tablespoons pesto (best if you have homemade pesto)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
salt and pepper to taste
nonstick oil spray
Directions

1.  Combine lamb and spices in a bowl and mix thoroughly.  Do not over mix or your burgers will come out very tough.
2.  Shape the lamb mixture into 4 burger patties, about 1/2 inch thick.
3.  Lightly grease a nonstick pan or a griddle and heat over medium high.
4.  Cook burgers 4-5 minutes on each side or to your own desired doneness.
What are you serving these days to lighten up your summer meals?
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Take a Chill with Watermelon Lemonade

18 Monday Jul 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Drink, Mint, Watermelon

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Enjoy this easy, refreshing, non-alcoholic drink that will take you a few minutes and a blender to put together.

Combine equal amounts of lemonade (home made is best) and watermelon in a blender. Buzz. Pour over ice and garnish with mint.  Drink!  (And here’s a recipe for the Summer Picnic Potato Salad).

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Watermelon Salad with Queso Fresco and Balsamic Reduction

14 Thursday Jul 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Balsamic, Cheese, Cooking, Fruit, Recipe, Salad, Vegetarian, Watermelon

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I fell in love with watermelon as a kid.  Juicy, sweet, and available only in the summer, watermelon was a special treat.  We ate it by the slices, spitting out the seeds, or saving them for later (we’d pop them in the mouth and split the seed with our teeth, enjoying the sweet white flesh).  I remember my Dad telling us stories of his youth when he’d split the watermelon in half and scoop out its flesh with a spoon.  It sounded so indulgent and decadent to me!
One summer, when visiting my dad’s relatives, I tasted pickled watermelon.  As a child, it didn’t sound as strange to me as it might sound to most adults these days.  Maybe it’s because even back then I was obsessed with everything pickled.  I suppose, that experience has prepared me to accept and embrace watermelon in savory preparation.

I still remember the day I discovered the taste of watermelon salad.  It was during a restaurant week in Dallas, Texas.  The restaurant was in one of my favorite Dallas neighborhoods (Knox/Henderson) – Hector’s on Henderson.  They served the watermelon salad with red onion, feta cheese and basil.  And from the first bite, I was hooked!  I must’ve made the salad weekly for the entirety of the summer.
Here is my version of the salad with Southwestern flavors.  I use Mexican fresh cheese – Queso Fresco and cilantro.  Balsamic glaze does a nice job of offsetting the sweetness from watermelon.  If you prefer, you can use lime juice instead.

Watermelon & Queso Fresco Salad with Cilantro

Ingredients

1 smalls seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
3 ounces Queso Fresco, crumbled
2 tablespoons Balsamic Glaze
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Ground black pepper

Directions

1.  In a large bowl, gently combine watermelon, onion and cheese. Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze and garnish with cilantro.  Season with coarsely ground black pepper. Eat immediately.  You don’t want this salad to sit around.  
If you are sensitive to onions, soak sliced onion in iced water.  This will make them milder and more crisp at the same time.
Have a favorite way to eat watermelon?  Please share!
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