How To Carve A Watermelon Basket Recipes

WATERMELON SORBET BASKET

Steps:

• Set the watermelon on its side (stem end facing left or right) and cut off a small, flat piece of rind from the bottom so the watermelon is stable. Wrap a piece of thin masking tape horizontally around the watermelon about 1/2 inch above where the stem was. Wrap 2 more pieces over the top at the center to make a band/handle for the basket that is 1 1/2 inches wide.
• Using the tape as a guide, cut out the wedges that remain on either side of the handle to make a basket shape, down to the horizontal tape. Scoop out 4 cups of watermelon balls using a melon baller and reserve. Remove the remaining watermelon flesh and save for another use. Use a paring knife to trim the flesh from the handle to create a small, neat strip of melon. Use a spoon to do the same for the inside of the basket. Freeze the basket for at least 3 hours. Refrigerate the watermelon balls.
• Put 3 cups of the watermelon balls in the bottom of the basket. Scoop balls of sorbet and arrange on top of the watermelon. Decorate with the remaining watermelon balls. Serve immediately or put back in the freezer until serving, up to 1 hour.

CARVED WATERMELON BOWL

Steps:

• To carve melon bowl, cut off top 1/4 of melon. Being careful not to cut through to melon, cut thin slice from bottom of melon so it will sit flat. Scoop out watermelon, leaving 1/2- to 1-inch-thick shell.
• Carve watermelon as shown in steps on right. Wrap melon bowl in plastic wrap to keep moist; refrigerate until ready to fill. At serving time, fill with cut-up fruit.

WATERMELON BASKET

Steps:

• Cut a thin slice from the bottom of watermelon with a sharp knife so it sits flat. Mark horizontal cutting line 2 in. above center and around the melon. , For handle, score a 1-1/2-in.-wide strip across the top of melon, connecting both sides to the horizontal line. With a long sharp knife, cut all the way through the rind above the cutting line in a zigzag pattern., Carefully lift off the side pieces. Remove fruit from both sections and cut into balls. Refrigerate the basket., In a large bowl, combine watermelon and honeydew balls. In another bowl, whisk cranberry juice, corn syrup and lime juice until blended; pour over melon balls. Cover and chill for 3 hours., Drain; spoon melon into watermelon basket. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and milk until smooth. Beat in sugar, lemon juice and cardamom; serve with melon.