Watermelon Bars Recipes

WATERMELON BLOODY MARY BAR

Steps:

• For the cooler bowls: Set the watermelon on its side (stem end facing left or right) and cut the watermelon in half crosswise, resulting in two tall halves. Cut off a small flat piece of rind from the bottom of each half so the watermelon is stable, then stand each half flesh-side up. Use a ratcheting pineapple corer to remove the central flesh from each half; the remaining flesh will help the liquor bottles fit snugly. (Reserve the cored flesh for another use.) Use a paring knife to make zigzag cuts around the edges of the watermelon bowls. Freeze each watermelon half until solid, 6 hours or up to overnight.
• For the garnish bowls: Set a watermelon on its side (stem end facing left or right) and cut the watermelon in half crosswise. Cut off a small flat piece of rind from the bottom of each half so the watermelon is stable.
• Insert an immersion blender into the flesh. Gently push and move the immersion blender down and around in the watermelon to puree the center. As more of the watermelon becomes pureed, move the blender to the sides to puree almost all of the flesh, leaving a thin wall of flesh lining the rind. Strain the juice into a large bowl. Repeat the process with the remaining watermelons. Reserve the strained juice.
• Use a paring knife to make zigzag cuts around the edges of the watermelon bowls. Pat the watermelon bowls dry with paper towels and set aside.
• For the Bloody Mary mixer: Set the remaining 20-pound watermelon on its side (stem end facing left or right) and cut off a small flat piece of rind from the bottom so that the watermelon is stable lying on its side. Cut off a 4-inch slice from the top, exposing the flesh.
• Transfer the watermelon to the sink (to avoid splashes). Insert an immersion blender into the flesh. Gently push and move the immersion blender down and around in the watermelon to puree the center. As more of the watermelon becomes pureed, move the blender to the sides to puree almost all of the flesh, leaving a thin wall of flesh lining the rind. Strain the pureed juice out of the watermelon into the bowl with the reserved strained watermelon juice. Use a paring knife to make zigzag cuts around the edge of the watermelon.
• Add 16 cups of the watermelon juice to a large pitcher or bowl. Add the horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery salt and 1 1/2 tablespoons salt and mix to combine.
• Add 1 bottle of tomato juice and 8 cups of the watermelon mixture to the hollowed watermelon. Chill the remaining watermelon mixture in the fridge.
• Insert the liquor bottles into the frozen cored watermelons. Fill the small watermelon bowls with your favorite garnishes. Top up the hollowed watermelon with the reserved Bloody Mary mixture and remaining bottle of tomato juice when needed.
• To serve, fill a glass with ice cubes. Add equal amounts liquor of choice and Bloody Mary Mixer. Top with your favorite garnishes.

FROZEN WATERMELON-LIME BARS

Steps:

• Make watermelon sorbet:
• Line a 9-inch square baking pan (2 inches deep) with plastic wrap or parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang. Put lined pan in freezer.
• Coarsely chop watermelon flesh (leave seeds in), then purée enough to yield 2 1/2 cups in a blender.
• Add sugar, juice, and tequila to purée and blend 30 seconds.
• Freeze sorbet in ice cream maker. Transfer to lined baking pan, smoothing top. Put in freezer to harden, at least 1 hour.
• Make lime semifreddo:
• Whisk together condensed milk, zest, and juice. Beat cream until it just holds stiff peaks, then gently fold into condensed-milk mixture.
• Spread over sorbet, smoothing top. Freeze until solid, at least 2 hours.
• To serve, lift dessert from pan using plastic wrap. Cut into 12 bars and serve on chilled plates.

WATERMELON BARS

Steps:

• step 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides of the pan. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
• step 2 Mix the melted butter into the finely ground vanilla wafers and add 2 Tablespoons of water. Mix well and press the crumbs onto the bottom of the prepared pan, forming a crust. Bake the crust for 20 minutes and allow to cool.
• step 3 Set aside 2 cups of the watermelon juice in a small bowl. In a large bowl, combine the remaining 3 cups of watermelon juice with the lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar and heavy cream.
• step 4 Sprinkle the gelatin over the reserved 2 cups of watermelon juice. Allow to sit for 2 minutes so that gelatin can dissolve and begin to absorb liquid, or "bloom." After the gelatin blooms, heat it in the microwave for 2 minutes on high, or heat gently in a small pot over low heat on the stove top, until the gelatin has completely melted into the juice and the liquid is smooth.
• step 5 Add the watermelon juice with the melted gelatin to the larger bowl of juice from Step 3. Stir to combine. Gently pour the mixture over the prepared crust from Step 2 and place in the freezer for 2 hours or until the mixture is firm. (Alternately, place the pan in the refrigerator and allow to set for 3 to 4 hours.)
• step 6 Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Before serving, cut the watermelon bars into squares. If desired, sprinkle each serving with confectioners' sugar or a dollop of whipped cream.

MOUTH- WATERING WATERMELON BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides of the pan. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
• Mix the melted butter into the finely ground vanilla wafers and add 2 Tablespoons of water. Mix well and press the crumbs onto the bottom of the prepared pan, forming a crust. Bake the crust for 20 minutes and allow to cool.
• Set aside 2 cups of the watermelon juice in a small bowl. In a large bowl, combine the remaining 3 cups of watermelon juice with the lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar and heavy cream.
• Sprinkle the gelatin over the reserved 2 cups of watermelon juice. Allow to sit for 2 minutes so that gelatin can dissolve and begin to absorb liquid, or "bloom." After the gelatin blooms, heat it in the microwave for 2 minutes on high, or heat gently in a small pot over low heat on the stove top, until the gelatin has completely melted into the juice and the liquid is smooth.
• Add the watermelon juice with the melted gelatin to the larger bowl of juice from Step 3. Stir to combine. Gently pour the mixture over the prepared crust from Step 2 and place in the freezer for 2 hours or until the mixture is firm. (Alternately, place the pan in the refrigerator and allow to set for 3 to 4 hours.)
• Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Before serving, cut the watermelon bars into squares. If desired, sprinkle each serving with confectioners' sugar or a dollop of whipped cream.