FRESH, LIGHT & ‘AU NATUREL’…BASKETS A LA MELON!
Doing away with decadence, though very temporarily, it’s Spring in the air. Melons are beginning to show up here. These pretty yellow fruits are probably called cantaloupes, casabas or melons overseas, but are called ‘sarda‘ locally. Till last year, they were imported from Afghanistan & were priced quite steep. I didn’t buy them last year because I like to subscribe to the’ grown within the 100 mile radius’ way of life. I’m not completely steadfast though; will buy the odd kiwi etc.
Make Melons Part of Your 5 A Day Plan…
Sarda…or Melon
Nothing much to what I did…no cooking, baking etc.
- I just cut the melon in a zig–zag manner across the centre with a sharp steak knife. You can draw a light line with the knife if you like; I did it extempore.
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Then I took a sharp smaller knife & gently cut out the flesh of the melon & chopped it up. Be careful you don’t puncture the outer skin.
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Tossed the cut melon pieces with craisins, walnuts, kiwi, grapes. Actually, that’s all I had. For those who have access to colourful fruit, this would look lovely with oranges, berries, strawberries, cherries, watermelon etc too. You can use the melon baller for fun round shapes too. Top it off with fresh mint.
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I plaited some lemongrass stalks into handles for the baskets. (I have some growing in the far end of my garden). Secured them to the sides with wooden picks…& I was ready to go!
I got them ready for the kids afternoon snack…they were thrilled to see them. Even though the son doesn’t enjoy the taste of melons, he polished off the smaller basket because it looked like fun! The daughter on the other hand relished each morsel, using wooden picks as a fork, & asked if she could have another basket! She said she felt like she was on a tropical island !! PHEW…I just sliced up the other melon for her the 2nd time round as the baskets took quite a while!!
This would make a nice picnic centre-piece…
…& seems like just the thing to send to Monthly Mingles where the chosen topic is Spring Fruit Sensations.
The event is the brainchild of Meeta @ What’s For Lunch Honey…a delightful concept which has been thoroughly enjoyed by foodies across the blogosphere. This month onwards, it’s been passed on to different hosts & this times host is Abby of Eat The Right Stuff. In her words…”One of the things I love about blogging is the inspiration it provides me with. However, inspiration is only half the story. taking that exciting spark of an idea and turning it into something on the plate in front of me, is the real challenge. “
My thoughts are quite the same…the inspiration is untold!
Deeba @ PAB
About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.
30 Comments
Manggy
Beautiful and very neatly done Deeba! I’ll have mine fat-free– no nuts! Hee hee 🙂
ovenhaven
The basket is absolutely stunning!
Passionate baker...& beyond
Hey Manggy…they say you are what you eat! But nuts are good for you…they say walnut halves look like the brain;& are good brain food! I thought my kids were picky…hmmm! How’re you doing post vacation dear fellow?
Thanks for stopping by Ovenhaven…
Passionate baker...& beyond
Hey Manggy…they say you are what you eat! But nuts are good for you…they say walnut halves look like the brain;& are good brain food! I thought my kids were picky…hmmm! How’re you doing post vacation dear fellow?
Thanks for stopping by Ovenhaven…
Nags
that;s so lovely.. you are very very talented 🙂
Saswati
the presentation is sooo lovely Deeba!
Ben
Lovely basket, I’d have to take pictures of it from any angle before eating it. I can taste the melon with the nuts and the kiwis. How delicious!
Poonam
Fantastic presentation…WOWWW!
Purnima
Loved ur melon-baskets, beautifully done! For a moment I thought this was your entry for Jugalbandi! Clashing title! Yumm basket!
Dhanggit
oh deeba, you always leave me breathless and speechless with your work of art!! cant wait to try this with provencal melon this summer!!
btw, im glad you like my choco molten recipe 🙂
TBC
That is beautiful, Deeba.
Lovely centerpiece.:)
Astra Libris
Oh my goodness – not only are your melon baskets incredibly, stunningly beautiful, but to top it all off, you quoted Keats! Keats is hands down my favorite poet – you just made my day!
Rosie
This is so beautiful Deeba and I just love all those bright colours with your amazing melon baskets!
Rosie x
Dhivya
beautiful entry and love the presentation too
Pooja
that’s absolutely stunning . wonderful work and presentations. It takes much time & patiences to do this , hats of to your creativity girl.
Abby
deeba, they look wonderful – you’re very creative! thanks for sharing this with the monthly mingle.
bee
gorgeous. you are a true artist.
Ivy
You are so creative Deeba. I wouldn’t have the patience to do all that stuff. Your family is lucky to have you. It’s very early for melons in our part of the world. Good luck for the event.
Raaga
I love sarda 🙂 looks great
Roopa
Fantastic presentation! Lovely post:) I too love vegetable carving though I am not good at it 🙂 Very creative !
Astra Libris
Oh my, now you made my day two days in a row! 🙂 Thank you so much for your incredibly kind comment and generous words… Coming from you with your very inspiring, incredibly beautiful blog (which I am so glad I have now discovered so I can come back and read frequently 🙂 they are especially treasured… Thank you!
Mer
These are gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing. :0)
familiabencomo
You are SOOO amazing! Too back I have to see all of your creations via the internet. I might just have to find an excuse to fly to India…. I’ll let you know what I come up with.
xoxox Amy
Lore
Your springy basket looks so fresh and light!
sandhya
the baskets looks beautiful deeba… i need to try these lemons now….
Namratha
Very creative and simply beautiful..apt for Spring. Good entry!
Mike of Mike's Table
For something so “simple,” this is a truly fantastic presentation. Beautiful work! 😀
SaraLynn
This is beautiful! You are soooo talented!
Sunshinemom
I don’t like melons but I wouldn’t mind some of what you have created…going by its looks! Beautiful!
Purnima
Deeba, u sure know to add glamour into anything u lay ur hands upon! Gr8 entry for CLICK!!