As the sun climbs high and the days grow longer, there is nothing quite like the refreshing taste of watermelon to beat the heat. It is not only a staple at picnics and barbecues, but it could also be a canvas for culinary creativity.
So if you are looking to impress your guests at your next gathering or just exploring new summer recipes, you could try Chef Minoli de Silva’s new recipe.
In a new cooking video, she shared a genius hack that elevated the watermelon from a simple fruit to an eye-catching dessert.
‘I am going to show you my favourite thing to do with the watermelon,’ she said of her recipe, which involved turning watermelon into a jelly that looked just like the real thing.
To start, de Silva carefully scooped out the flesh of half a watermelon while preserving the rind’s shape.
Once the flesh was removed, she blended everything into juice. She then strained out the pulp and the seeds to achieve a smooth jelly.
De Silva recommends using a cheesecloth or, as she and her mother prefer, a linen towel to remove the pulp. This step is important to ensure that your jelly will be as clear and smooth as possible, to achieve the final illusion.
The next step involved simmering the pulp-free juice with 1 and 1/2 cup sugar and agar agar, a plant-based setting agent that is key to the jelly’s firmness, at medium heat, while stirring occasionally to avoid clumping.
Once the jelly mixture was ready, Chef Minoli poured it back into the hollowed-out watermelon rind, then put it inside the refrigerator to cool and set.
After allowing it to set, the watermelon rind was flipped and sliced, revealing what appeared to be fresh watermelon slices but were, in fact, slices of delectable watermelon jelly.
‘It may get a little messy, but you know what? That is what summer and watermelons are all about,’ she added.
De Silva also suggested serving the jelly as is, with a squeeze of lime, or a drizzle of condensed milk for extra flavour.
Her recipe is a reminder that with a bit of creativity, even the simplest ingredients can become a source of wonder and delight.
Our YourLifeChoices readers, do you have a favourite summer recipe you would like to share? We would love to read about them!
Also read: Healthy summer delights: 5 must-try Donna Hay recipes to savour this season!
