Watermelon wonders: Vegan hydration heroes
Watermelon isn't just a beloved summer fruit for its sweet, refreshing taste; it's also a surprisingly versatile ingredient that can be turned into a range of vegan entrees. These dishes aren't just perfect for staying hydrated, they're also packed with nutrients to keep you healthy. Discover five watermelon-centric recipes that will keep you cool, hydrated, and full of energy throughout the day.
Watermelon poke bowl
Imagine ditching traditional tuna and using watermelon in your next poke bowl. Sounds intriguing, right? Simply marinate cubed watermelon in soy sauce, sesame oil, and lime juice for an hour. Then, build your bowl with rice, avocado slices, cucumber, seaweed salad, and your marinated watermelon. Not only is this dish beautiful, but it's also super hydrating and full of essential nutrients.
Grilled watermelon steak
Wait, you can grill watermelon? Yup, just cut some thick slices and throw them on the grill until you get those nice charred lines. Serve up those "steaks" with a fancy drizzle of balsamic reduction and some fresh mint leaves. Grilling brings out the watermelon's sweetness and adds a smoky flavor that goes great with its natural juiciness.
Watermelon gazpacho
For a deliciously unique take on the classic Spanish cold soup, simply combine chunks of seedless watermelon with tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, garlic cloves (optional), lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste in a blender and process until smooth. Chill for at least two hours before serving, garnished with diced avocado and cilantro. This gazpacho is not only flavorful but also incredibly refreshing.
Watermelon feta salad
Toss together cubed watermelon, crumbled vegan feta cheese (almond or soy milk based), thinly sliced red onion rings, chopped mint leaves, and optionally, black olives. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil lemon juice dressing. The salty-sweet contrast is addictive, and the high-water content in the melon makes this salad super hydrating.
Chilled watermelon curry
Mixing sweet fruit into spicy curries might sound strange, but it's actually a tradition in many cuisines. Puree ripe, seedless melon (watermelon, muskmelon etc), then simmer it gently with coconut milk, curry leaves, mustard seeds, turmeric powder, and green chilies (adjust for your taste), adding salt as per your preference. Serve this unusual but refreshing curry over steamed rice or quinoa for a hydrating and surprisingly delicious meal.
