YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Watermelon Gazpacho

Beautiful color, beautiful flavor, beautiful summer food. Something different and delicious…

8 cups watermelon (peeled from rind, seeded, and chopped)
3 pickling cucumbers (approx 6 inches long), diced
1 red bell pepper (cored, seeded, and diced)
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. green onions, chopped
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp. salt

Mix together all the ingredients in a large bowl.

Measure two cups of the ingredients into a blender or food processor, and pulse until chunky (not smooth). Collect the blended ingredients in a pitcher.

Continue to blend one small batch at a time until just 1/2 cup of the unblended mixture remains. Add this to the pitcher without processing, and stir. Refrigerate for at least 2 hrs, and serve chilled. Garnish as desired with more basil or parsley. 

Yield: 6+ cups


YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Watermelon Sunshine Drink

My kids have all grown up to be great cooks. Adventurous, inspired by simple ingredients, and willing to try unusual combinations of ingredients at least once. Here’s a little something my youngest (now grown and married) invented on the spot last Friday afternoon, inspired by some slightly mushy watermelon in the fridge.

By the way, if you’ve noticed that things seem a little different around here, it’s not your imagination. Comfort food (of all kinds) wins. The main goal of each day is to get to the next. Deep breath. You’re gonna like this one. Continue reading