COVID KITCHEN: It’s Grill Season!
posted by Law | April 17, 2020 | In Arts and Culture“The grill caramelizes the melon’s sweetness and gives it a subtle, smoky flavor. Paired with a sweet and spicy seasoning, grilled watermelon can be an intriguing side dish or a surprising dessert.” – Meghan Splawn, Cooking Lessons from the Kitchen
It’s no secret what a skilled grill master can do. And now, since you’re home, enjoying all the Netflix and chilling, and spring break has transformed into an extended summer stay-cation, let’s heat things up with an old favorite. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a good watermelon.
When I was a teen, my uncle Larry D. “Birdman” Jones, who is known for his pit mastery, would insist on the BBQ menu in its entirety to touch the grill. It was a culinary rite of passage, so to speak. And so, this recipe fills me with mouth-watering nostalgia.
First, select a miniature “personal” watermelon. This is will take as long as it takes. If you’re like me, then you know a good melon must pass the firmness and scent trial. Please, remember this is COVID-19 culture. Fight the urge to perform a taste test in the store. And, actually, avoid picking up any produce unless you are going to buy it. For your safety, make a selection, wash the melon thoroughly, and cut it into wedges (triangles), leaving the rind attached, to the desired size.
This recipe will feed 4–6 people.
Prepare your rub. You can apply this to the melon before and after the grill.
¼ cup of sugar
½ teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon if grated lime zest
½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
*Brown sugar, lime, and cumin is another combination.
Now, what to do…
- Preheat the grill on high. Heat an outdoor gas grill to high, or prepare a charcoal grill for high, direct heat grilling.
- Prepare the watermelon. Trim the tips off the watermelon. Stand the watermelon on one cut end, cut in half, then cut each half in half again. Cut the quarters into ½ inch–thick slices.
- Season the watermelon. Combine the sugar, lime zest, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Sprinkle the watermelon slices on both sides with the sugar mixture, then rub the sugar mixture in to ensure even coating.
- Grill the watermelon. When the grill is hot, add the watermelon slices in a single layer and grill until warmed through and grill marks appear, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Serve the grilled watermelon on its own with lime wedges, topped with feta cheese or Greek yogurt, or as dessert with a scoop of ice cream. Serve immediately.
Now, do this as often as you like. Why? Because you can!
“You ain’t got no job!” You might as well grill. For the movie lovers, I know you caught that Friday reference.
Photo courtesy of Ahmad:https://www.flickr.com/photos/snorkel/
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