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Tag: watermelon

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Fresh Watermelon Margaritas

Fresh Watermelon Margaritas - The Vegan Rhino

Fresh Watermelon Margaritas - The Vegan Rhino 

If you’re 21+ I have the perfect drink for you to make! Margaritas are usually a crowd favorite but when you add fresh watermelon juice to the mixture, it gets a whole lot better. Whether you want this on the rocks or blended into a frozen drink, you’ll enjoy these all summer long (or anytime!).

Fresh Watermelon Margaritas - The Vegan Rhino

Yield 6

Ingredients

1 large watermelon, roughly 12 cups juice

1/2 cup lime juice

6 Tbsp. organic cane sugar

7 oz. tequila of choice

4 oz. grand marnier or triple sec

2 cups crushed ice

Kosher salt or sugar, to rim glass

 

Directions

  1. In a blender, add the sliced watermelon and blend until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and add 4 cups watermelon juice to a large pitcher with lime juice, sugar, tequila, triple sec, and crushed ice. Stir to combine.
  2. Serve in a glass with ice and sugar rim. Garnish with mint.

 

Chef’s tip: Blend the watermelon and make the juice the night before. You can infuse the juice with mint leaves.

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Summer Sangria Crock Pot Recipe

Big Easy BuchaBig Easy Bucha

Most sangria recipes are one-dimensional and suffer from too much added sugar. This easy slow-cooker and watermelon-centric version features artisanal brandy, rose and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as watermelon-infused kombucha, which is naturally low in sugar and effervescent. Big Easy Bucha is handcrafted in New Orleans and certified vegan, plus their sugar content tends to be some of the lowest on the market among kombuchas, and the craft Brandy is also made in the U.S.

Big Easy Bucha

Per serving: 140 calories, 0g fat (0g sat), 10 g carbs, 2g fiber, 17 g sugar, 50 or less mg sodium, 0g protein

Ingredients

1 bottle rosé
1 bottle Sauvignon Blanc
1 cup pomegranate juice (100% juice)
1 cup Copper & Kings brandy, divided
1/4 cup triple sec
1 small seedless watermelon, cut into cubes
3 limes, cut into wheels
1 orange thinly sliced
2 bottles Big Easy Bucha Melon Magic Kombucha, infused with watermelon

Directions

  1. Pour rose, pomegranate juice, 1/2 cup brandy, and triple sec in a slow cooker. Turn on low and let flavors combine for 2 hours.
  2. In the meantime, prep watermelon cubes and transfer to a glass pitcher. Cover watermelon chunks with brandy and white wine and chill in fridge, covered.
  3. Once slow cooker is finished, transfer liquid to a heat-safe glass container and allow to come to room temperature. Add to watermelon and white wine mixture. Add limes and refrigerate.
  4. Before serving, add Melon Magic kombucha.

 

Chef’s tip: Add lime slices right before serving and gently stir in the kombucha for a slight effervescence.

 
Big Easy Bucha

Family owned and operated, Big Easy Bucha is New Orleans’ original artisanal, probiotic-packed kombucha, infused with the unique fruits and florals of the Southeastern USA.

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Butternut Squash Salad with Watermelon and Walnuts

Butternut Squash Salad

Butternut Squash Salad

Juicy watermelon with roasted butternut squash is an interesting and new way to treat yourself during those autumn nights. This light and refreshing salad paired with a red wine vinaigrette is a delicious combination of sweet and savory! If you are looking for some extra protein, hemp seeds are a great touch with also add extra texture to any dish. This dish was inspired by a recent outing to one of my favorite restaurants. I am sure glad that I was able to make my own version of this delicious fall-inspired salad.

Butternut Squash Salad

Yields 2 salads

Ingredients

1/4 watermelon, diced into medium cubes

1 butternut squash, cut in half and de-seeded

5 oz. arugula

1 cup walnuts, rough chop

Dressing:

1/2 cup avocado oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp. balsamic reduction

1 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. Vitacost Pink Himalayan Fine Salt

1/4 tsp. Spicely Organics ground black pepper

1 tsp. lemon juice, (optional)

Butternut Squash Salad

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Peel butternut squash and slice in half length-wise. Remove seeds and rinse- you can dry them and store in the freezer or you can roast them.
  3. Take your prepared squash and dice it in to long pieces.
  4. Place onto a lightly oiled pan and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  5. Bake for 30-45 minutes, flipping half way through.
  6. Remove from oven and allow to slightly cool.
  7. While squash is cooling, in a small measuring glass, mix together all dressing ingredients and stir until well mixed, set aside.
  8. For your salad, put arugula into a large bowl. Add watermelon, walnuts, butternut squash, and hemp seeds (save some to top salad with). Pour dressing over and mix to fully coat.

Chef’s tips: You can brush the squash with vegan butter and brown sugar if you would like to caramelize your squash a bit and add a different flavor to the salad.

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Minty Watermelon Citrus Spritzer

Watermelon Juice Spritzer

Watermelon Juice Spritzer

Enjoy this quick and easy way to start incorporating homemade juice into your routine. Rich in water, watermelon is a personal go-to when it comes to making healthy sips on the fly. Simply blend the sweet fleshy insides until you’re left with a slushy-like liquid and strain the pulp. What you do next with your fresh watermelon juice is up to you. But my favorite additions to make this refreshing beverage even more nutritious include citrus and herbs. Get the full recipe below for instant revitalization!

Watermelon Juice Spritzer

Ingredients 

2 cups watermelon juice 

1/4 cup lime juice, fresh

1/4 cup lemon juice, fresh

2 cups sparkling water

1 bunch mint

slices of lemon and lime

Ice 

 

Directions

  1. In blender on highest setting, blend cubed watermelon for around two minutes (if using Vitamix, use tamper to push fruit down).
  2. Pour juice through small mesh strainer to remove pulp.
  3. Pour into large pitcher, add lemon and lime juices, mint, and club soda or sparkling water and top with ice.

 

Chef’s tip: This drink goes great with a splash of champagne! If you’re celebrating something special,  fill a glass a quarter of the way with champagne and finish it off with  juice.

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Watermelon Juice

Did you know that when you buy pre-cut watermelon from the store its usually more expensive because someone is cutting it for you? Buying the entire watermelon can actually save you some money, if you are willing to put in a little elbow grease. Im only teasing, watermelons are actually not as difficult to open up- but just remember to be careful! To make fresh juice from a whole watermelon, you will need a blender and some mint leaves (if you’d like to infuse the two flavors). Otherwise, you will only need 1 ingredient- how simple! After cutting  and dicing the watermelon up, blend the pulp into a liquid consistency (without the rind). Just make sure you strain the juice before pouring it into your glass with mint leaves. I like to refer to this refreshing and rehydrating drink as “Nectar of the gods” because its so delightful!

Ingredients

1 large watermelon

1 bunch mint

 

Directions

  1. In blender on highest setting, blend cubed watermelon for around two minutes (if using Vitamix, use tamper to push fruit down).
  2. Pour juice through small mesh strainer to remove pulp.
  3. Store into a large container with mint leaves and enjoy.

 

Chef’s tip: You can also add some lime juice to this for some added flavor.