Watermelon Feta Salad with Spicy Vinaigrette

This recipe is now at Happy Eats Healthy

Watermelon Beverage Dispenser aka Cocktail Keg aka Jungle Juice Jug

Sometimes you see an idea that is so fun you just have to recreate it. And it's a bonus if this idea boarders on reliving your college jungle juice days.....ok it doesn't boarder on it, it dives right into a frat party head first.

The Watermelon Juice Dispenser is case in point. I didn't come up with this idea (you can do a search and see other variation on this) but with the help of eager friends we carved this one up and it became the hit of the party.

It's actually fairly simple. Cleaning out the watermelon and turning it into juice might be the most difficult, not to mention messy, part.

A quick hole at the bottom of the belly, screw in a faucet or whatever dispenser you are using, pour in your juice and voila. Cocktail Keg. Drink Dispenser.

Below you'll find the basics to create this nifty beverage dispenser and then I list three watermelon punch recipes you can play with. For extra fun, I carved a little face in my watermelon. Put some fun in your next party with a handmade Fat and Happy Cocktail Dispenser.

Watermelon Thai Gazpacho

If there is a downside to buying a watermelon, it's gotta be the looming question of what to do with the reaming after you eat a cup of it. I was staring at a mound of juicy red melon and was saddened at the thought that it might go to waste.

Coincidentally, I had planned to make a couple of different variations of gazpacho for an afternoon birthday party. Watching the peppers whirl in the blender gave me the idea to turn the watermelon into a soup.

Toasted almonds give this watermelon gazpacho texture while the ginger and hot pepper tingle the Thai senses.

This watermelon soup could be a great appetizer, lunch or amuse bouche even. It was a hit at the birthday party and will turn any event into a fat and happy party!

Watermelon Salad with Mint and Queso Fresco

Watermelon might be the ultimate summer fruit. Every once in a while it's nice to up the ante just a little, to add a bit of panache to your fruit.

Super easy, tasty, fresh sides and salads for picnics, summer barbecues or anytime. The fact is there isn't much to say other than that. The honey adds just a touch of sweetness while the salty cheese makes the taste buds beg for more. The cooling fresh mint is just damn refreshing.

Just three little ingredients give this simple fruit elegance and happiness. And that resembles Fat and Happy more than anything else.

Ginger Watermelon Summer Cooler

I'm a water drinker.  I shy away from extra drinks like juices, energy drinks and sodas.  I save my liquid calories for tea, coffee, wine, gin ... and beer. 

But if ever there was a time to splurge on fun drinks, this is it- summertime. You can pretty much juice any fruit, add simple syrup, a splash of vodka and voila!  A super refreshing summer cocktail is on your lips in no time.

In this case I chose watermelon - it seemed like a nice option for an afternoon get-together.  Plus, I like to think this is a slightly upscaled version to the classic 'soaked watermelon'; you know what I'm talking about, the watermelon sprouting the upside down vodka bottle...   Stop by the farmers market, or better yet- Stanley's Vegetable Market, pick up a melon and make yourself a fat and happy cocktail worth splurging on.

Tips and Techniques:  Juice the watermelon in the morning, it takes a few minutes to get this all chopped up and juiced.  Read the labels, look for a juicy, seedless watermelon; if you have a melon with seeds, remove them before blending.

Ginger Watermelon Summer Cooler

1 small seedless watermelon
Ginger simple syrup (recipe below)
Juice of 1 lime
Ginger ale
Vodka

Begin by making the simple syrup first, you will need this to cool before adding to the drinks (this can be done the day before, just store in the fridge.)  Chop up the watermelon, removing the rind.  Save a few slices for garnish on the glass.  In batches, place the melon in a blender and blend for just 5-10 seconds.  Be sure to remove any seeds before blending.

Set a strainer on top of pitcher, strain the juice into the pitcher.  Use a spatula or wooden spoon to push the juice out of the pulp.  Throw the pulp away and blend another batch. I juiced 8 -10 cups of melon juice and still had half of a watermelon left over, it was plenty for a party of about 10. Cut up any remaining watermelon, grate fresh ginger over the top and serve in a pretty bowl.

Add in the lime and ginger simple syrup. You may like more or less so add in half of the syrup first, then taste and add to your liking.  The melon juice itself is pretty sweet, so don't add the whole batch of syrup without tasting, I only used about a cup of the syrup.

To mix:  Fill a cocktail glass with ice, fill the glass 2/3rds full with the melon juice.  Add 1 oz of vodka and top off with fresh ginger ale and give it a stir.  Serve with a little watermelon wedge.


Ginger Simple Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 fresh ginger, cut into pieces (about 1/4 cup)

Add all ingredients in a saucepan, heat on medium until the sugar dissolves.  Remove from heat and let cool, this will allow the ginger time to steep.
Strain out the ginger, store in the refrigerator to keep it cool until ready to use.