Great Gatsby-Inspired Entertaining Recipes

Tianna Robinson | April 10th, 2015
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This year marks the 90th anniversary ((April 10, 2015) ) of the classic F.Scott Fitzgerald novel The Great Gatsby. Here, some fun recipes to entertain your guests ’20s style. Recipes courtesy of watermelon.org.

 

Watermelon Lemonade

Nothing says “summer” like lemonade. It’s not only a celebrated summer drink, it is a quintessential part of healthy hydration. We’ve kicked up the “healthy” in this summer favourite by adding sweet watermelon and yummy raspberries for a new twist on this renowned classic. Serve in chilled glasses with lots of ice. 

Ingredients:

6 cups cubed seedless watermelon

1.5 L
1/4 cup raspberries

50 mL
1 cup water

250 mL
1/3 cup sugar

75 mL
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

125 mL

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions:

  1. In a blender, add watermelon, raspberries and water. Cover and blend until smooth.
  2. Strain through fine mesh strainer into pitcher.
  3. Add sugar to lemon juice in a separate container and stir till sugar dissolves.
  4. Add lemon juice and sugar mixture to watermelon mixture in pitcher and stir.
  5. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

 

Serves 4.

Source: www.watermelon.org.

Frozen Watermelon Daiquri

This cocktail was originally made with a teaspoon of sugar sprinkled over ice and the juice of one or two limes was squeezed over the sugar. Two or three ounces of white rum completed the mixture and was served in a tall glass packed with cracked ice. It evolved in the ‘20’s to be mixed in a shaker with the same ingredients over shaved ice. The Daiquirí was one of the favorite drinks of writer Ernest Hemingway and President John F. Kennedy. Made with sweet, hydrating watermelon, here is our updated version of this classic cocktail – enjoy!

Ingredients:       

4 cups cubed watermelon 1 L
½ cup light rum 125 mL
¼ cup fresh lime juice 50 mL
¼ cup orange-flavored liqueur or Cointreau 50 m

 

Instructions:

  1. Slice watermelon in half, then slice each half into 1 inch slices, remove rind from each slice.
  2. Cut each slice into 1 inch cubes and place cubes in a shallow baking pan.
  3. Place the pan with watermelon cubes in freezer and freeze for approx. 4 hours.
  4. Combine frozen watermelon cubes, rum, lime juice, and orange-flavored liqueur in a blender.
  5. Process until smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides.
  6. Add enough ice to bring mixture to the 5-cup level; process until smooth.
  7. Repeat procedure, if necessary, until mixture measures 5 cups.
  8. Serve in elegant stemware with a line slice on the side

Tip: To add a little more elegance and flare to this sweet treat, sugar the rim by rubbing the glass rim with lime juice. Place the glass upside down in a dish of sugar before filling with the daiquiri mixture. Serve with a party straw!

SOURCE: National Watermelon Promotion Board, www.watermelon.org.

Watermelon Strawberry Mint Salsa

This dynamite salsa combination compliments any grilled meat and works especially well with Caribbean or jerk seasoned food. It is so yummy you’ll want to indulge in this calorie wise option as an alternate choice for tortilla chips.

Ingredients:

1 cup diced watermelon (seeds removed)

250 mL

¾ cup diced strawberries

175 mL

¼ cup diced red onion

50 mL

2 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves

25 mL

Watermelon Waldorf Salad

Make a refreshing change from your usual side salad! Fruit salads are an easy and elegant way to add a little glamour to any meal – breakfast, lunch or dinner. This delicious combination of fruit and yogurt also makes a fun and healthy snack kids and adults will love! Create excitement by serving in stylish patio ware.  

Ingredients:

2 cups cubed watermelon (about ½-inch cubes)

500 mL
½ cup sliced celery

125 mL
½ cup seedless red grape halves

125 mL
¼ tsp salt

1.2 mL
¼ cup greek style yogurt

50 mL

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

12 mL

2 tbsp whole or sliced almonds, toasted

25 mL

Instructions:      

  1. Combine watermelon, celery, and grapes in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Combine salt and lemon juice with yogurt in a separate bowl, set aside.
  3. Place almonds in a small sauté pan on medium heat, stir continuously while toasting.
  4. Once almonds are toasted, (approx. 5-10 minutes) remove from heat and let cool.
  5. Pour yogurt mixture over fruit and stir until coated.
  6. Spoon salad into individual bowls/fruit nappies
  7. Sprinkle each bowl with toasted almonds.

 

Tip: Substitute almonds with your favourite nut. Toasted walnuts are equally delicious.

 

SOURCE: National Watermelon Promotion Board, www.watermelon.org

Prosciutto Wrapped Watermelon and Brie Bundles

These tasty appetizers look fancy but are quick and simple to make. Party food should always look the part – fun, flirty and bite size. You want to encourage guests, who may be wearing party apparel, to enjoy the food without worry of wearing your memorable morsels. They should be easy to pick up and pop in their mouths in one or two bites. This sweet, salty, creamy appetizer is a real party pleaser!

Ingredients:

  • 24, 1 inch [2.5 cm] square, ¼ inch [0.6 cm]thick slices of seedless watermelon
  • 24, 1 inch [2.5 cm] square, ¼ inch [0.6 cm]thin Brie slices  –  same dimensions as the watermelon
  • 24, thin slices prosciutto ham

Instructions:

  1. Place a piece of Brie on top of each watermelon square and wrap each with a slice of ham.
  2. Pinch ham together at the top to form a bow.
  3. Secure with a frilly toothpick.

 

Servings:

Makes 24 appetizers.

Source: www.watermelon.org.