Coolers To Salads- Interesting Recipes Using Watermelon To Beat The Heat This Summer Season

Watermelon can support hydration, help in weight management, is a rich source of lycopene and also can support blood pressure. Here are interesting ways to include watermelon into your diet:

(Representational Image)

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New Delhi: Our summer party menu includes chilled ice creams, wobbly jelly shots, and nutritious salads loaded with seasonal food items. Watermelon chunks pair well with a surprising variety of flavours, both sweet and savoury. For an unexpected crowd-pleasing treat, you can serve wedges of watermelon with a spicy dip, churn it into a smoothie or maybe add it to your salads.

Watermelon being extremely healthy, is indeed a great ingredient to include in your meals. It can support hydration, help in weight management, is a rich source of lycopene and also can support blood pressure. Here are interesting ways to include watermelon into your diet:

1. Shrimp, Watermelon And Avocado Salad:

Ingredients:

• 1lb shrimp, cooked
• 4 cups watermelon, coarsely chopped
• 1 medium sweet white onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded, finely chopped (optional)
• 2 avocados, coarsely chopped
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1tsp honey
• 3tbsp olive oil
• 3/4tsp kosher salt or 3/4 tsp coarse salt
• 1/4tsp pepper

Preparation:

• Combine shrimp, watermelon, onion, cilantro, jalapenos and avocados in a large mixing dish.
• Whisk together the lime juice, honey, oil, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl.
• Toss the salad lightly with the dressing.
• Allow 10 minutes for the flavours to blend.

2. Chilli Lime Watermelon:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cubed watermelon
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1/4 tsp chilli powder
• 1 lime, zest grated and juiced
• 3 tbsp crumbled cotija cheese
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation:

• In a large mixing bowl add the cubed watermelon
• Sprinkle with a tsp of salt and chilli powder
• Toss gently
• Squeeze the lime juice over the top and garnish with the lime zest
• Mix in the cotija cheese and cilantro
• Serve right away

3. Strawberry, Chia And Watermelon Smoothie:

Ingredients:

• 1+1/2 cups fresh watermelon in cubes, with seeds removed
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 medium ripe banana, chopped and frozen
• 1/2 – 3/4 cup unsweetened plain almond milk 
• 1 medium lime, juiced
• 1 tbsp chia or hemp seeds

Preparation:

• In a blender, combine all of the ingredients and process until creamy and smooth, adding additional almond milk to thin or more frozen strawberries or ice to thicken.
• Season to taste, adding additional lime for acidity, banana for sweetness, or watermelon for a more pronounced watermelon flavour if desired.
• Serves 2- top with more chia seeds to mimic watermelon seeds and serve.