Watermelon Basket Recipes

MINTED WATERMELON BASKET

Steps:

• Using long sharp knife, cut a thin slice from end of watermelon, being careful not to cut into flesh of watermelon. Stand watermelon on cut end. Using a washable marker, mark handle at top of basket by drawing 2 parallel lines that are 2 1/2 inches apart, starting at top of watermelon and drawing lines about 6 inches down each side.
• Using a sharp knife, cut out a wedge-shaped piece of watermelon from each side, leaving the handle intact. Using a large spoon, gently scoop out watermelon flesh, leaving about 4 inches of flesh at bottom of watermelon.
• With a small knife or garnishing tool, make "V" or scallop cuts about 2 inches apart on cut sides and handle of watermelon basket.
• Cut watermelon into 1-inch chunks or use melon ball tool to make balls of watermelon. Measure 3 cups of watermelon and place in large bowl. Refrigerate remaining watermelon for another use.
• Add grapes and cantaloupe to watermelon in bowl. Gently mix in 1/4 cup mint, the lemon juice and sugar. Refrigerate fruit mixture and watermelon basket separately until ready to use. Just before serving, fill watermelon basket with fruit mixture. Garnish with strawberries and additional mint leaves.

WATERMELON BASKET FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Take a sharp knife and slice a small thin piece off the bottom of your melon.
• This will allow the finished basket to sit flat on a plate or table without rolling.
• Next, take the tip of your knife (you can also use your pumpkin decorating tool out if you have one) or garnishing tool and score the watermelon in half, horizontally.
• Then mark a strip of about 1 1/2- 2" wide that will form the handle of your basket.
• If you have trouble seeing the score lines, you might want to try using a marker.
• Next, take your garnishing tool and start cutting around the melon on the lines.
• The garnishing tool naturally makes V shaped cuts, which makes doing a basket like this a breeze.
• If you do not have a garnishing tool, use a small knife and make the V cuts one side at a time.
• You could also forget the V and make straight cuts.
• To make separating the melon easier, and the finished product neater, turn your garnishing tool over, and go over the cuts in the opposite direction.
• Carefully separate the cut sides from the body of the watermelon.
• If you used a marking pen and there are any residual marks left, a handy way to get rid of them is to use a new emory board and gently sand them off.
• Take a melon baller and hollow out the inside of the watermelom.
• After removing all the edible parts, take a large spoon and gently scrape out the sides of your"basket".
• Be care not to scrape too thinly on the handle, as you want it to have some stability, even though you will never try to carry it this way.
• Mix the watermelon balls (or pieces, if you don't have a melon baller) with other ripe fresh fruits.
• To make the handle garnish, thinly slice lemons, limes or oranges and use a toothpick to affix them, along with a grape, melon ball or cherry, to the watermelon.
• Keep any extra fruit in a ziplock back and refill as it goes down!

WATERMELON BASKET FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Wash and dry all the fruit.
• With a large veggie peeler/melon carver cut the top third of the watermelon off making a decorative edge of either scallops or peaks. (I wish I had premium so I could post pix). When I was a kid I drew my decorative edge on the melon and carved it with a boning knife but it is faster and easier if you get a tool designed for carving. Scoop the melon out with a small cookie scoop and set aside.
• Cut the cantaloupe into 8ths and cut the rind off. With the french fry blade of your food processor, shred the cantaloupe and set aside. I learned this from Greg Patton host of Pattonly Cooking sponsored by Cuisinart.
• Cut the honeydew in half and seed it. With a melon baller make itty bitty balls and set aside. You can cheat and slice this in your food processer on the thickest blade.
• Cut the pineapple into 8ths and core it. Cut into chunks and set aside.
• Mix melons and pineapples together in a large bowl.
• Quarter the strawberries and mix with the remaining berries and grapes. Do not mix in the raspberries or they will be pulverized.
• Layer the fruits in the watermelon basket, first a layer of the melons and pineapple, then the berries then some raspberries. Save most of the raspberries for the top layer. Continue layering until your melon basket is full and save the remaining fruit in a baggie so you can re-fill the melon basket.
• That's all there is to it! You can carve handles on your basket or leave it open which works better on a buffet as it is easier to access the fruit.
• To make it extra fancy whip up an egg white and dip clusters of grapes in it, then roll in superfine sugar and let dry on waxed paper. Secure the little grape clusters in the edging of the melon basket with a toothpick. I did this for my mother once when she had her lady friends over and it really wowed them as a centerpiece.
• Hope you try this! Have fun doing it with your kids.