Pretty in Pink!

I’ll say it: My favorite food is watermelon.  At my third birthday party, I sat and devoured an entire plate of watermelon – as in, half of a watermelon.  In one sitting.  The love has never faltered since.

So when there is a big fat watermelon sitting on my counter, there’s only one thing to do:

Mission: Consume Massive Quantities of Watermelon was fully under way today.  Allow me to introduce you to the Lazy Girl version of dissecting a watermelon:

Step 1: Cut watermelon in half
Step 2: Scoop out innards using an ice cream scoop
Step 3: Devour
Extra Credit: Drink juice left in bottom of rind

I definitely have an A+ in Watermelon 101.  Anyone need a tutor?

I’m pretty convinced watermelon is one of the perfect foods.  I mean, it’s specially designed by nature to sate both our hunger and our thirst.  And it’s pink!

Last summer I was really excited to discover that watermelon juice and smoothies are popular local beverages in Thailand.  I mean, it makes perfect sense, given the potential of dehydration at any given time should you not be meticulous about keeping yourself watered in such a hot climate.  I’ve thought about those juices frequently since my return, but I’ve had to wait for watermelon to come back in season before I could indulge my fantasies!

And today was *the* day.  All day, that big bowl of juicy watermelon taunted me, waiting for me to get home so I could whip up a replica of my favorite Thailand drink.  Finally, when I got home from a sweaty but relaxing two mile walk, it was time.

In my version of my oft-longed for drink,  I used unsweetened iced mint green tea to add a little extra cooling burst to the already refreshing watermelon.  You can feel free to use water, as well.  Salt is commonly used in fresh juices in Thailand, because when you sweat, you lose precious nutrients, including sodium, which, in limited amounts, actually helps keep you hydrated.  I actually usually do not use salt in any of my cooking, but I happen to be a fan of very lightly salted watermelon – it helps enhance the watermelon flavor.  If you’re not into that, though, feel free to omit!

Oh my.

Pretty Pink Chiller

• 1 cup watermelon
• 1/2 cup ice
• 1 cup iced green mint tea
• 1/4 tbsp salt

Place all the ingredients in a blender and go to town!  Drink it up!  Also good with a splash of lemon juice, or for a fun grown-up twist, some gin or vodka (4th of July, I hear ya callin’).

It may not be June 21st yet, but if there’s watermelon, it’s summer!

When do you know that it’s definitely summer? For me, it’s when the sky stays light until late in the evening, and I spend more time trying to figure out what I can wear that will minimize sweating than I do showering or eating.

What is your all-time favorite food? I may be a chocoholic, but in a death match, watermelon comes out on top by a hair.