How To Carve A Watermelon Basket Recipes

HOW TO CARVE A WATERMELON BASKET

Steps:

• 1. Choose a watermelon that's a shape and size fitting for the table. Cut a thin slice from the bottom to provide a stable base.
• 2. Draw the outlines for the heart basket with a fine/medium point waterproof marker or a sharp pencil before you cut. Halve the watermelon lengthwise with a straight, jagged, or wavy line.
• 3. Leave a thick handle to "hold" the basket up from the center. (optional) Use a knife or decorating tool to cut out the edges. Be careful not to cut through the handle.
• 4. Carefully remove the top quarter sections when the cutting is complete. Save the cut-out pieces for later. Trim the flesh from the inside of the handle.
• 5. Cut out hearts or other designs from the rind you removed to decorate the outside of the basket and attach them with toothpicks.
• 6. Fill with your favorite fruit, or, just follow the instructions of the watermelon fruit basket.

WATERMELON BASKET

Steps:

• Cut a thin slice from the bottom of watermelon with a sharp knife so it sits flat. Mark horizontal cutting line 2 in. above center and around the melon. , For handle, score a 1-1/2-in.-wide strip across the top of melon, connecting both sides to the horizontal line. With a long sharp knife, cut all the way through the rind above the cutting line in a zigzag pattern., Carefully lift off the side pieces. Remove fruit from both sections and cut into balls. Refrigerate the basket., In a large bowl, combine watermelon and honeydew balls. In another bowl, whisk cranberry juice, corn syrup and lime juice until blended; pour over melon balls. Cover and chill for 3 hours., Drain; spoon melon into watermelon basket. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and milk until smooth. Beat in sugar, lemon juice and cardamom; serve with melon.

CARVED WATERMELON BOWL

Steps:

• To carve melon bowl, cut off top 1/4 of melon. Being careful not to cut through to melon, cut thin slice from bottom of melon so it will sit flat. Scoop out watermelon, leaving 1/2- to 1-inch-thick shell.
• Carve watermelon as shown in steps on right. Wrap melon bowl in plastic wrap to keep moist; refrigerate until ready to fill. At serving time, fill with cut-up fruit.