| Nothing is as equivelant to the laid back attitude and taste of mid-summer as watermelon. This flavorful fruit can be added to your
summertime menu in a variety of tasty ways. In celebration of the
middle of summer, we'd like to devote this issue of Get Fresh, appropriately, to fresh watermelon. |
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Absolutly refreshing
Just in time for a great summer cocktail, Absolut Vodka announces its refreshing new flavor Absolut New Orleans, that when mixed with watermelon, is sure to create a sweet and spicy sensation! The most unique thing about this new mango and pepper flavored vodka is that 100% of Absolut's profit from this product will be donated to Gulf-region charities.
ABSOLUT Big Breezy
4-5 chucks fresh watermelon
2 oz ABSOLUT NEW ORLEANS (limited edition product)
½ oz simple syrup
Squeeze of lemon
Pinch of black pepper
Mixing Instructions: Shake and strain ingredients into a martini glass and garnish with a melon ball and Lemon Slice.
Read more about Absolut's donation program on our website.
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Smooth summer 'soup'
Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, a.k.a. the Heart Boys of Food Network fame, bring you this great summer recipe. Dan and Steve began their trip to stardome as one of the premier caterers in the Chicago area. One of their stops along this ongoing journey will be at the 2008 catersource Conference & Tradeshow and Event Solutions Idea Factory this coming February. You don't want to miss their insight and humor as they share their many experiences - like the fiasco this recipe almost brought about at one of their events*!
Watermelon Gazpacho Shooters 4 cups diced seedless watermelon (about 3 pounds)
1 cup diced tomatillos (about 2 tomatillos)
1 1/2 tablespoons diced jalapeño (about 1 small jalapeno, seeded)
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Zest of 1 lime
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pinch cayenne
1 lime, thinly sliced, and each slice quartered, for garnish
Special equipment: 2 dozen 2-ounce shot glasses or cordial glasses
Put
the watermelon, tomatillos, jalapeño, lime juice, lime zest, salt, and
cayenne into a food processor, working in batches if necessary. Process
until the mixture is smooth. Chill well before serving, at least 1 hour
and up to 1 day. To serve, pour the gazpacho into shot glasses and
garnish with a lime slice.
Yield: 20-24 shooters
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Can be made 1 day before. The Hearty Boys are sure to be a highlight at the 2008 Conference, to find out more visit their website www.heartyboys.com (*for the full story on the "gazpacho indident", click on Dan & Steve, Tips/Recipes - July only!).
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$elling a slice of summer
Make money with melons! Here are a few ideas.
 · Set up a watermelon cart and chef-carving station for a summer bbq or picnic dessert option. Use a variety melons and their crates or boxes they came in for a farmers-market style display. Having guests watch the chefs slicing the melons is fun, entertaining, interactive and most of all fresh to order!
· Create a watermelon-bar as a fresh approach to dessert for a wedding or outdoor cocktail party. Serve watermelon wedges or skewers, fresh or grilled, with with choices of honey (www.honey.com), green tabasco sauce (www.tabascofoodservice.com), flavored salts, sugar crystals in many varieties, candied or fresh ginger, balsamic vinegar, citrus sauces, sweet dips, simple syrups and spirits - use carved out melons as serving bowls! The creative sampling combinations are endless.
· Cook up the season's best salsas, relishes, salads, bbq sauces, skewers, vinaigrettes, soup sips, popsicles, ice cubes, granitas, slushes, drinks, cocktails and desserts by using watermelon at the peak of the season. Try unusual varieties to stimulate interest - there are over 1,200 kinds of beautiful melons in all shapes, sizes and colors.
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Inside out
As you incorporate the flavor of watermelon into your summer menus, don't forget about the OUTSIDE of the fruit! The colorful rind of the watermelon also has endless potential - try it as a garnish, buffet decor or a beautiful centerpiece.
The art form of fruit carving originated in Thailand in 1364 and if you've ever been to a catersource Conference, you know that Chef Ray Duey is a master of this technique. "Anyone can do this!" he insists, and he's taught hundreds of people just how to make it work. Meet Chef Ray at the upcoming 2008 Conference & Tradeshow and see his carving tools and tips at www.chefgarnish.com.
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Gimme a break! 
In the spirit of all that is watermelon, this month's Gimme a break! is simply meant to make you laugh and think "What if..."
Behold, the space saving SQUARE WATERMELON - no kidding!
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Watermelon on the web
All you ever needed to know about watermelon AND MORE can be found online!
The National Watermelon Promotion Board and the National Watermelon Association are great source for recipes, information and fun, all about watermelon.
Watermelon has earned a place on The World's Healthiest Foods website!
Some good all-around watermelon tips from an unlikely source, Hormel Foods.
And of course, don't forget the ever-popular Wikipedia!
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Another catersource winner
Thank you to all who stopped by the catersource booth at the NRA show in Chicago in May. We congratulate Chris Leskauskas of Peddler's Village in Pennsylvania who won our Conference & Tradeshow package
giveaway! Chris will receive one complimentary registration to our 2008
Conference as well as hotel accommodations.
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Join catersource in Miami
Experience great catering and event education and more at Event Solutions Idea Factory August 20-23. This will be the last Summer Symposium as the Idea Factory makes it's permanent home in Las Vegas with the annual Conference & Tradeshow beginning this coming February. Don't miss this great event, click below for more info.
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If you have a story, idea, question or comment you'd like to share, please email
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