Easy Watermelon Dessert

Posted by Michael Vyskocil Aug 25, 2007

At this time of year, there are always those inevitable spikes in the weather--one day, the temperature is a pleasant 80 degrees, two days later, the temperature climbs to 90 degrees. With weather like this, what can you serve for dessert that doesn't require turning on the oven?

Seasonal fruit is always the best option. Fresh peaches are always a great treat in late summer, needing little enhancement to bring out their sweet flavor. One fruit you can't forget about this time of year is the watermelon. Late summer is an ideal time for fresh watermelon; the long summer days have coaxed them to the point of ripeness, making them an ideal choice for a simple dessert in hot and humid weather.

When serving watermelon, it's best to keep it chilled until you're ready to eat it. Warm watermelon isn't as good as when it's chilled. You can either serve watermelon in wedges just on their own, or with just a few simple ingredients, you can create a tasty syrup that will bring out the flavor of the melon, as you'll discover by following the recipe below.

RECIPE

Watermelon Slices with Lime-Mint Syrup

Serves 8 to 10

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh mint leaves

1 1/2 to 2 (about 1/3 cup) freshly squeezed lime juice

2 tablespoons honey

1 whole seedless watermelon, ends removed, quartered lengthwise, and cut into 1-inch-thick slices

In a small bowl, combine the mint, lime juice and honey. Arrange the watermelon slices on a serving platter and drizzle the slices with the lime-mint syrup. Serve immediately.