Wednesday, June 13, 2012

And Some Like It Cold


If you read my previous post, you know that after nearly 28 years of marriage, I discovered that the Man of the House does not like watermelon. Apparently, it's just too watermelony for him.

You also know that I tried and rejected the notion of grilling the stuff.  Popular opinion seemed to be with me that watermelon is a dish best served cold. 

Therefore, Miss Whimsy and I decided to use up the remaining fruit while the husband is out of town by trying some recipes from the cold side.

We started with watermelon sorbet.


Now this recipe?
 It gets four thumbs up, 
two from me and two from Miss Whimsy.

We loved it.

It's cold and refreshing, and it's really easy too.  



Just make a simple syrup
with 1 cup sugar and 1 cup (boiling) water. 
Blend syrup with 8 cups of watermelon chunks
Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice until it's thoroughly mixed and slushy.  
Then spread it in a 9 x 13 pan and freeze for 8 hours.
(Covered)

When you're ready to serve it, just cut it into frozen chunks 
and puree them again until it looks like sorbet. 

 Mine kind of looked like frozen slush, but it tasted like sorbet, 
and that's what matters.


Then, set a watermelony table for two
for no other reason than fun.




I don't have any watermelon dishes so I just layered  red, white, and green
and then seeded it with a little black. 



 A painted pot for the center.


Some watermelon napkin rings...


And colorful stemware. 

I actually have some watermelon glasses that I borrowed from the Duchess,
 but they were busy showcasing our other cold watermelon recipe.



Watermelon Coolers
(From the May 2012 issue of All You Magazine)


(I cut this recipe in half, but here's the whole one)

Freeze 8 cups of watermelon chunks
for at least 30 minutes
Blend together (in small portions) 
                                                        -watermelon chunks
                                                        -2 cups of ginger ale
                                                       -6 ounces frozen limeade
                                                       -1/4 cup water


I actually only gave this one thumb because I'm not a huge limeade person.  Miss Whimsy, on the other hand, gave it two thumbs and a big toe to make up for it. She loved it.

Therefore, I will definitely make it for her again.



So there you have it. Not one but two recipes and a watermelony table all in one post.  Not too shabby for a lazy, hazy, crazy day of summer.

55 comments:

ellen b. said...

Glad you didn't give up on that watermelon. Your table is so great! Love the watermelon theme and colors!!

Denise said...

Oh my! Your recipes look so delicious and refreshing. I cannot wait to try both of them. Your watermelon table is so cute and summery. Love the plate layers!

Looks like you set this festive table on your newly refurbished deck. You and Miss Whimsy created one great table.

Vee said...

Thank you for the beautiful tablescape and the delicious sounding recipes! I am certain that I would love them both.

Sarah said...

Unlike your spouse, I love watermelon. And your watermelon table is adorable. I've been planning a watermelon table myself. Need to get it pulled together. You are inspiring me!

Chatty Crone said...

Your table makes me happy and I appreciate that today. And I pinned both of your recipes. sandie

Cathy said...

OK I live in Texas and thought you had to like watermelon, but it ain't so. No one in my family but me like watermelon. It brings back alot of memories in my younger days, outside with sticky watermelon then a wash down with the water hose. Your table is GREAT and I will try your receipes.

Cathy's Cupboard Calamity<;)

Robin said...

Your table is adorable and not too filled with watermelon everything (I like your solid dishes just fine) but I'm afraid I'm with your husband. Not a watermelon person and I have a big one in my refrigerator right now that my husband insisted on buying at the farm stand. He will be eating it 3 times a day for a week!

Robin
Robin Flies South

Aledia said...

Love your watermelon table! Your dishes are just perfect and your recipes look & sound delish! Thanks for sharing them!

Have a wonderful night!
Aledia @ Plum Perfect

Monica @ Happily Playing with Dishes said...

I love watermelon! You created a great summer table. I just created this years version of my watermelon table. Please take a peak if you can.

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

LOVE THIS! The WHOLE PACKAGE right down to "I've printed out your recipe for the sorbet"! YUM! OH MY watermelon and hot summer days are a MUST HAVE. Your Hubby doesn't know what he's missing. Has he TRIED your sorbet. MAYBE he'd like that? I think your post would be PERFECT for a Christmas in July(red&green). I would have never put together red and green BUT THIS IS PERFECT! Crisp and Cool for a summer day!
Have a beautiful week,
Big Hugs,
Donna

Kelli said...

Summer is not summer without watermelon. My absolute favorite! I am eager to make this for the fam! (HUGS)

Barbara F. said...

I love watermelon, and these recipes sound great. I have to make some sorbet. xo

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

These are beautiful tables with cute little watermelons on the napkins...however I do not care for watermelon to eat though so I understand the Man of the House lol

Marlis said...

ooh your watermelon table is making me want some watermelon - NOW!! your recipes look fabulous and the table looks like watermelon art. Have you tried watermelon lemonade? can you say yummy.. have a great week. xo marlis

Denise said...

I love it, awesome.

Tanna said...

Debbie, your table looks PERFECT for some watermelony fun!! The recipes sound really refreshing and I am going to share them with my watermelon-loving daughter in VA. ;) My favorite thing about this post is the fun you and your daughter are having with each other. Makes my heart smile. xoxo ~ t.

Gina said...

Your watermelon table is just so sweet! I love the colors and that painted pot is just too cute!

Now those are watermelon recipes I know I will love! lol

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Oh Debbie! This is so adorable! I'm with Miss Whimsey on this one. The last recipe sounds like it would be my preferred. I think I will just have to try them both out myself though. Definitely copying these down (on recipe cards). I just love your tablescape. It is so very cute, right down to the perfectly painted pot. Thanks so much for sharing all of this. I love it!

allisamazing said...

Your watermelon sorbet looks wonderful and your tablescape is wonderful!

Debbie said...

Oh I love everything about this! The table is darling, and BOTH of the recipes sound wonderful to me. But then I love watermelon! The more watermelony, the better, haha. Have another crazy, hazy day of summer!

Meredith said...

Oh looks like. I'm going to HEB together some watermelon. I love your table. So so cute! Did you paint your chargers or buy them green? What a fun table!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Both of those recipes sounds great and what a cute table too boot! Love the plate stack! Have a wonderful summer day! Linda

Nikki (Sarah) said...

grilling watermelon? That's too funny. This coming from someone who can't make toast without burning it. Thanks for the great easy recipes to try...

Wishing you a fabulous day out there.....

Kathleen said...

Beautiful! I love how you got all the colors of the watermelon just right!
Your pics are fabulous!
I do have watermelon dishes and did a table with them last year. I was wondering how I could use them differently this year, and you have so inspired me!
I just love this crisp looking table, thanks for posting it at Let's Dish!

Jacqueline said...

I just got some watermelon bowls. I love the idea of both the sorbet and the cooler.

Ok, I have to be truthful and admit that for years and years I didn't like watermelon either - I know, it sounds unheard of. I thought it was just too watery! Now I love it and just the smell as I cut it reminds me of summer - so there is hope for hubby too. I have no idea what changed me over though! Maybe it was those little watermelons they sell now - the seedless ones.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Who needs watermelon dishes? Obviously not you and Miss Whimsy! The layered dishes and linens are the perfect solution for your colorful Summertime table. It must be fun to have a tablescaping daughter around to play in the dishes with you!

BTW, no problems here w/ linking at Kathleen's.

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Oh I like this recipe, and will make this for my son. He loves watermelon.
Thank you!

debbies said...

So cute - I love watermelon and have a small collection of dishes/accessories. Your tablescape is adorable!

Amy Kinser said...

I am a little envious that you have sisters to "play" with. It sounds like y'all have so much fun together.

Love your watermelon table.

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

My mouth is watering .. I like it plain and COLD . But it's difficult to find a nice juicy sweet watermelon anymore it seems. I remember when I was a child, my Auntie would put them in her floral cooler for a day or two and oh my! They also cost about five cents each waaaaay back then AND were always sweet and gooood. (())

Mary said...

Debbie~ We celebrate our 28th anniversary this August, still together due to our mutual love...of watermelon :) Your sorbet looks so refreshing~ I know I would enjoy it! Your watermelony table is adorable and perfect for a lazy hazy day of summer!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

This is probably one of my favorites! The table looks so fresh and lovely, and the watermelon drink and sorbet are beautiful!! Great job!! It looks like the best of summer.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh goodness, what a wonderful, fresh, pretty and inviting table!! The watermelon drin and soebet looks like just what I needed while I was in 90 degree weather with my grands. Thank you for your wonderful and kind comments of my masculine table, I meant for it to look like that! Have a great weekend my friend.
FABBY

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

The tablescape is beautiful! Love the colors, even prettier than watermelon patterned dishes! I have S&P shakers you need - they look like small triangle chunks of watermelon!

I love watermelon and don't think it needs to be improved upon! Those recipes do sound good tho.

Not sure I would like grilled watermelon, but I have wanted to try grilled fresh pineapple, or maybe peaches (with ice cream and caramel sauce, etc!)

Katherine

Shanee said...

What a cutie patootie table! I love that it isn't "watermelon" dishes but it is still all about the watermelon. The pot is adorable. Oh yeah..I forgot about the watermelon, lol....the sorbet looks like a to try recipe! Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for sharing.

Little Miss Maggie said...

What a happy table. Nothing screams summer more than watermellon. I have those very same goblets, and I use them all the time. Thanks for sharing this cheery setting.

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

This table looks good enough to eat! What pretty colors! You are so clever, that watermelon painted pot is adorable! Thanks for the great recipes too!
I would love it you would stop by StoneGable for ON THE MENU MONDAY this week and bring your sweet watermelon treats. Post goes live 8:00 pm on Sunday!
YUMMY!

Canadagirl said...

I am for sure going to make the Water Mellon Sorbet. I am always on the hunt for summer recipes that my son can have. ( due to allergies) And this one is one! ((happy dance))

Your table looks STUNNING as ALWAYS.

Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary

Renée said...

Promise me you will do a repeat for your man...all things combined, he will fall in love with watermelon! What is not to love here friend?

I'm so glad you are teaming up with Miss W. You two are a perfect pair!

Kathleen said...

I love this post completely. Watermelons remind me of very happy holidays at my sister's home in Arkansas. I also love the colour combination of red, white and green. Beautiful tablescape, as always.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful table! Well done, Debbie. Well done.
Still not loving watermelons. They are just a little weird for me.
One time we made a great smoothie with cantaloupe, ginger ale, yogurt. Your second recipe reminded me of that.

Savannah Granny said...

The recipes sound fantastic. I will definitely try both recipes.
I absolutely love how you created that neat watermelon tablescape with all those Christmas decorations! LOL.
You table is beautiful and the green colors are perfection. Love the napkins.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

How perfect for the beginning of summer! Love your tabletop watermelon patch.

Sharon said...

What a cute table! I loved the seedly black plate on top - you're just so clever!

The recipes sound delicious. Add my big toe - I think I'd love that watermelon cooler.

I still find it hard to believe that Sir Lotsa Hair doesn't like watermelon. What's next? Finding out that he's allergic to decoupage??

:)

Sharlotte said...

Cute, cute! The recipes sound so yummy...can't wait to try them!

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Too cute, love the red, green, white and black in your stack of dishes. Can't wait to try the slushy.

Lynn said...

Cute table! And hey, anything that gets a toe up is a winner in my book:@)

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Yummy, again!

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

The sorbet sounds delightful! I LOOOOVE watermelon, just had some tonight. Your table is fabulous!!!! Love every detail. I just found watermelon S and P at Joanne Fabric on clearance. XO, Pinky

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I love watermelon and the recipes here and table are just great...what a wonderful summer setting...and again, you did an awesome job

Marigene said...

What a cute watermelon table!

FrouFrouBritches said...

Love the cute watermelon tablescape!! Did you paint the green charger? It's the perfect shade of green!

I do have to agree with Sir Lotsa Hair on eating the watermelon. I do not love watermelon. I think I ate so much of it when I was a kid, that I just hate it now. Too bad too because me oldest loves it!

Shabby Brocante, Karen said...

I love, love, love the watermelon tablescape. How cute is that? Love the painted flower pot. So clever.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I've missed a lot of your posts, and I'm so glad I came back to read them. As always, they've been entertaining. I can't wait to try the sorbet recipe. Sounds like the perfect thing on a hot day. Your table setting is so cute. laurie

Victoria Mische said...

Watermelon sorbet - such a perfect way to escape the heat of summer! And everything in your table is just beautiful! All the details are perfect!

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