Summery cool and fun recipes with watermelon and kids

Yep, it's summer season in India and it will be soon in rest of the world. Singapore has tropical summer kind of weather all throughout the year, so we can enjoy this season and all the activities associated like swimming, water parks, hiking, adventure sports, etc anytime. Summer has 2-3 month long vacations too. So,  how do you keep your kids busy....?? I have some easy fun recipes that you can do with your kids. (With your supervision/help). So starting a new category of recipes, which the kids might like, or which you can cook with them.

This post is about some fun  recipes with WATERMELON.

Watermelon "cake"  

Watermelon and fruit kababs

Watermelon-orange juice

Did you like them.....?? 

Very simple to make, even your kids can make them with little supervision.

Let's start...... :)

Ingredients:

• 1 large watermelon (5-6 kgs) , seedless variety 
• 2 oranges (I used the spanish variety), any non-tart ones would do
• bunch of grapes
• kiwis/mint leaves/salt/sugar/chat masala(optional-- if needed, my fruits were on the sweeter side, so I didn't use any seasoning)

Recipe:

For the watermelon "cake"

• This is a cool way to eat watermelon. It is basically watermelon slices, presented in form of a cake.
• I found this idea on Sala's blog , 2 years ago... who made it from a Martha Stewart magazine. 
• So what you need to do is basically cut a big watermelon, in the middle to get about a 2 inch round.
• Wash and wipe the watermelon.
• Lay it horizontally on a table.Cut 1/3 of the watermelon with a long sharp knife, on both ends.
• Now, cut a circular piece about 2 inches in width. You might get 2 pieces, if your watermelon is long enough. (This step, is better done by the adult supervising)

• Place the circular piece on the serving platter, and cut into 6 slices, as if cutting a cake .... :)

• Now, with a melon baller (or a circular spoon), cut off balls of watermelon and place them in a plate.

• Slice oranges diagonally, and cut them to half.(adult supervision) Or you can just peel the skin and separate the insides.
• That's the cutting part. Now, assemble the cake. Place 2/3 melon balls on each slice, also a slice of an orange. Garnish with a mint leaf. Sprinkle salt/chat masala , if needed. (I didn't )

• Tadaa... a beautiful watermelon cake is ready.
• Chill for about 15-20 mins, before serving.

For the watermelon and fruit kebabs

• You will need thin bamboo sticks used for making kebabs.
• Thread the piece of fruit you like, along with the melon balls on the bamboo skewers and serve on the platter. 
• I have used red seedless grapes, the melon balls and slices oranges. 

• I have tried with 2 different colored grapes and 2 different colored melon balls too. 
• You can use any fruit you like. Just chop them to bite size pieces and thread them in the skewer.
• Chill in the refrigerator for about 15 mins, before serving.

For the watermelon-orange juice

• Use the remaining watermelon, and scoop out the remains.

• Put it in a food processor, along with fresh squeezed juice of half a lemon. (About 1 cup of watermelon pieces to half cup of orange juice).
• Blitz it for 10-20 secs, till u get an even puree of fruit.
• Strain the puree to get juice.

• Season with salt/sugar if needed and garnish with a melon ball and a slice of orange
• Chill in the refrigerator for about 15 mins, before serving.
• This recipe was made by my friend Gauri, on her blog with lemons.

Notes:

• If doing the recipes, with kids make sure that the adult does all the cutting with the knife. Put the knife away after use. 
• The kids can help make melon balls and with the assembly.
• You can use lemons instead of oranges to make a watermelon lemonade.

A picture of the same cake, when I made it first time, 2 years ago.....