recipes

Warm Up Winter with Watermelon Fun

Warming up with family-friendly activities starts with a versatile (and delicious) option like watermelon, which can be your sweet superstar all year long. As a centerpiece for evenings at home or gatherings and get-togethers, its versatility creates zero food waste with endless creative uses in the kitchen, from rind-smile snowmen to handheld snacks.

Published

2 years ago

October 5, 2022

Rebecca Washington

(Family Features) The cold chill of winter may have you feeling trapped indoors with nothing to do and nowhere to go, but fun activities fit for the whole family can add excitement and chase away those wintertime blues. Paired with an appetizing snack, at-home crafting provides a relaxing way to keep your mind and body moving.

When this year’s first snowfall offers a canvas for creativity and entertainment, gather your loved ones to make this Watermelon Snowman. Fresh-cut and personal-sized watermelons are the predominant options in wintertime, and they’re perfect for putting together this festive work of art. All you’ll need is a collection of kitchen knives, an ice cream scoop, melon ballers, skewers, some decorative “clothing” and blueberries for a fruit salad served right out of the snowman.

While you’re hard at work, ease your appetite with a quick and easy snack like Watermelon Glazed Meatballs. Start with a homemade watermelon puree mixed with barbecue sauce then saute frozen meatballs and top with the sweet glaze for a perfect wintertime treat. Along with delicious taste, watermelon is also a nutritious hydration source, which is just as important in winter as during warmer months, and provides an excellent source of vitamin C with 25% of the daily recommended value in each 2-cup serving to support immunity.

These tasty morsels also make for a simple, shareable appetizer while hosting throughout the season. Just lay them out on a serving tray and pop toothpicks into each meatball so guests can grab and go while mingling.

To find more family-friendly crafts and sweet snack ideas, visit Watermelon.org.

Watermelon Snowman

Kitchen knives
1 round seedless watermelon
2 personal-sized watermelons, one larger than other
ice cream scoop or large spoon
melon baller
mini melon baller or paring knife
blueberries
large wooden skewers

y-shaped sticks
scarf
hat

Using knife, cut 1/4-inch slice off bottom of round seedless watermelon and both personal watermelons to provide stable bases. Use smallest melon for head, second largest for torso and largest for lower body. Set aside smallest watermelon.
Cut tops off large and medium watermelons to create bowls. Using ice cream scoop or large spoon, scoop out flesh.
Using melon baller, scoop eyes out of smallest watermelon. Invert melon balls and reinsert.
Using mini melon baller or paring knife, scoop out holes for nose and mouth. Carve one piece of watermelon into triangle for nose and fill mouth holes with blueberries.
On platter, using large wooden skewers, connect all three watermelons.
Insert y-shaped sticks in middle watermelon for arms.
Fill bottom sections with fruit salad of melon balls and blueberries. Decorate with scarf and hat.

Watermelon Glazed Meatballs

Servings: 8

Watermelon Puree:

1 fresh watermelon

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
24-36 frozen prepared mini meatballs
1 cup prepared barbecue sauce
1 cup watermelon puree

To make watermelon puree: Remove seeds from watermelon and cut into large chunks. In blender, process until smooth.
In large, heavy saute pan over medium-high heat or electric skillet set to 325 F, heat oil.
Saute mini meatballs until browned and hot. Reduce heat to low.
Mix barbecue sauce and watermelon puree. Pour over meatballs and simmer 2-3 minutes. Serve hot.

SOURCE:
National Watermelon Promotion Board

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Author

Rebecca Washington

Rebecca Jo is a mother of four and is a creative soul from Phoenix, Arizona, who also enjoys new adventures. Rebecca Jo has a passion for the outdoors and indulges in activities like camping, fishing, hunting and riding roller coasters. She is married to Rod Washington View all posts

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Related Topics:health and wellness watermellon winter foods

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Rebecca Washington

Rebecca Jo is a mother of four and is a creative soul from Phoenix, Arizona, who also enjoys new adventures. Rebecca Jo has a passion for the outdoors and indulges in activities like camping, fishing, hunting and riding roller coasters. She is married to Rod Washington

recipes

Scare Up a Sweet, Thrilling Treat

Published

13 hours ago

October 11, 2024

Daily News Staff

(Family Features) For a frighteningly fun time in the kitchen this Halloween, gather your family around the cauldron to create a sweet, spooky dessert. Tricks and treats may provide thrills, but a homemade concoction can be the star of your hauntingly happy evening.

This Ghostly Graveyard Cake takes imagination and creativity from everyone with tombstones, skulls and spooky icing daring all to try a bite. With looks this chilling, it’s a perfect treat to enjoy while watching everyone’s favorite scary movie.

Find more deliciously devious desserts at Culinary.net.

Ghostly Graveyard Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix
10 chocolate creme cookies
1 cup black melting chips
1 cup red melting chips
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 cans buttercream icing
1 purple food coloring
1 black food coloring
skull sprinkles
tombstones and bones candies

Prepare cake mix according to package instructions in three 6-inch baking pans. Once baked, allow to completely cool outside of pans.
In zip-top bag, using rolling pin, crush chocolate creme cookies; set aside.
In separate small bowls, add black melting chips and red melting chips.
In microwave, heat heavy whipping cream 1 1/2 minutes. Pour half the mixture into one bowl of chips and other half into other bowl of chips. Stir until chips are completely melted; set aside.
After cakes cool, on cake board, add small amount of buttercream icing so cake sticks. Using bread knife, level cakes.
Place one cake on cake board and add thin layer of icing on top. Place second layer of cake on top and add thin layer of icing on top. Place final layer of cake on top and add thin layer of icing on top. Add thin layer of icing to entire cake. Freeze 15 minutes.
In small bowl, mix two parts purple food coloring to one part black food coloring. Ice cake with deep purple icing. Using grooved scraper, scrape along sides of cake. Using angled spatula, smooth top of cake.
Add skull sprinkles around edges of cake. Using piping bag with small opening at tip, drip black drip mixture around top edges of cake. Repeat using red drip mixture.
Add chocolate creme cookie crumbs to top of cake. Add tombstones and bone sprinkles to top of cake.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage

Author

Daily News Staff

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Food and Beverage

A Comfort Food Favorite for Football Nights

Published

2 days ago

October 9, 2024

Daily News Staff

(Family Features) With football season in full swing, it’s time to break out game day favorites that get the crowd on their feet. This Bison Barbecue Meatloaf may not be a traditional tailgate item, but it’s a perfect way to bring the family together for weeknight games.

Visit Culinary.net to find more game day dishes.

Bison Barbecue Meatloaf

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

1 pound ground bison
1/3 pound hamburger (optional)
2 tablespoons mesquite seasoning or barbecue seasoning
1 egg
1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Glaze:

1 cup barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Heat oven to 350 F.
In bowl, mix bison; hamburger, if using; seasoning; egg; and barbecue sauce. Place in loaf pan.
To make glaze, mix barbecue sauce and brown sugar. Spread over meatloaf.
Bake 45 minutes.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

Food and Drink

https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

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Food and Beverage

Celebrate Cozy Season with a Creamy, Comforting Meal

Enjoy a cozy autumn evening with a warming meal of Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Mini Pierogies, plus a chance to win cozy pierogy-inspired items.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 30, 2024

Daily News Staff

(Family Features) A snug sweater, a crackling fire and a meal that warms you from the inside out are perfect ways to spend a cool autumn evening with the people you love.

Comforting Meal

Gather around the table for a hearty meal featuring some of the most comforting flavors of fall – pumpkin, apple and cinnamon – plus a special ingredient: pierogies. Found in the frozen food aisle, Mrs. T’s Pierogies are stuffed with creamy mashed potatoes, cheesy goodness and other big, bold flavors – a comforting addition to this Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Mini Pierogies.

Available in 13 flavors, including 4 Cheese Medley, Loaded Baked Potato, Broccoli & Cheddar and other varieties in both full and mini sizes, they can be boiled, baked, sauteed, air fried and even grilled, making them a versatile addition to seasonal dishes of all kinds.

Plus, in honor of National Pierogy Day, you can enter for a chance to win items to get cozy –pierogy style. From getting comfy on the couch with pierogies to enjoying them in bed, you can win items inspired by these soft, pillowy, cheese-filled pasta pockets: like a plush robe or pierogy-shaped blanket. To enter, simply follow @mrstspierogies on Instagram, like the sweepstakes post and comment your favorite way to get cozy.

To find more cozy recipe inspiration, visit mrstspierogies.com.

Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Mini Pierogies

Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4

1 large shallot
1 large Honeycrisp apple (or 1 1/2 cups)
5 garlic cloves
olive oil
2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, divided
2 cups canned pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons maple syrup
pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons heavy cream
fresh thyme, to taste
1 box Mini 4 Cheese Medley Mrs. T’s Pierogies

Slice shallot, peel and cube apple and crush garlic.
In pot over medium-low heat, add drizzle of olive oil and saute shallots, garlic and apple 20 minutes, covered.
Let mixture slightly cool then add to blender with 1/2 cup broth and blend until fully combined.
In pot, add pumpkin puree; blended shallot mixture; maple syrup; salt, to taste; pepper, to taste; nutmeg; cinnamon; remaining broth; heavy cream; and thyme, to taste. Bring to low boil then add frozen pierogies. Boil 3 minutes.

SOURCE:
Mrs. T’s Pierogies

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.