Watermelon, mint and a creamy keto sweet dip make a festive and light dessert or appetizer for any summer outing.
Mint was overtaking my garden quickly spreading and trying to dominate everything else near it's path. I was panicked and wanted it tamed!
The hubby moved it to another location to let it spread freely and resolved the issue, temporarily at least. Obviously finding recipes to use it is my goal as I do love the smell and the taste of fresh mint.
I do my weekly shopping at Whole Foods, my local market and Aldi's and once or twice a month I make a trip to Trader Joes's. I spotted a beautiful on sale watermelon and as soon as I saw it, I knew the mint would work well for a cute little kabob.
Pretty and festive for summer parties. And easy, no cooking required, my favorite type of recipes in the summer months!
My daughter was having a friend over the day I made these and I wasn't quite sure how they would receive them. All I knew is that this was a mom type recipe and I honestly didn't care if they chose not to eat any!
I was also getting together with some friends the next evening and thought I could share them over there.
Once the children saw the bright colors on the skewers, they were asking if they could try them. I think anything on a stick and they want it or with a DIP and they want it even more! They devoured them and came back for more!
Using metal skewers worked better as the wooden ones I tried first broke the watermelon and cheese apart.
Here's another item I spotted at Whole Foods the other day as it gave me the ambition I needed to make my own copycat version. Too many ingredients I think are unnecessary but that's what you find when products need to have a long shelf life.
Ultra creamy and perfect with any fruit you like.
Drop a dollop on a plate or spoon and spread right over the kabob. I enjoyed the dip with everything, even the cheese and mint not just the watermelon!
I think it's fair to say the children and hubby were big fans! 2 left over for my lunch the next day! I had to make a bunch more the next night to get together with my friends, but I didn't mind. 🙂
Brenda's Notes:
- I've made this twice, once with Queso fresco and once with feta. The feta crumbled easier when skewering them. I preferred the milder taste of the Queso fresco. I found mine at Aldi's believe it or not!
- You don't have to make the dip sweet you can eliminate the stevia if you like or use a liquid stevia, possibly lemon flavored would work well here. You could also use honey or another sweetener of choice.
Watermelon Kabobs with Sweet Cream Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cups watermelon chunks
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves
- 8 ounces queso fresco
Sweet Cream Dip
- 1 cup Greek yogurt full fat
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla liquid stevia
Instructions
- To make kabobs, start with one piece of watermelon, 1 small piece of mint, one cube of queso fresco, repeat then finish with one last piece of watermelon. Makes 12.
- To make dip, start with adding the cream cheese into a stand mixer and blend until smooth.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and continue to blend until completely smooth.
- Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Tara
Great recipe but I thought watermelon was a NO NO for low carb/keto diet?
Brenda
There are 2cups in 6 servings which amounts to about 1/2 cup of watermelon per serving. Eating 2 cups of watermelon by itself might cause your blood sugar to spike and kick you out of ketosis but 1/2 cup at 5 net carbs per serving should not be a problem. It's all about eating whole foods and watching portion control. Even a small amount of carrots can be enjoyed without getting kicked out of ketosis. Unless you're tested your blood, you won't know for sure. But in my quest of keto I strive to eat real whole foods.
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox
I have to try these! I, also, have mint overtaking my garden and am running out of ideas on what to do with it.
Susan
Watermelon with mint and feta is just such a great combination and I really want to find that greek yogurt cream cheese. It sounds delicious.
Juli
Brenda, what a terrific idea!! I'm staring at the screen, wishing it would be daytime here to get some groceries 🙂
I'm a big watermelon fan and I share one with my kids at least 1 per week. For too long I've been unstable with my energy and this weekend I'll finally finish my sugar cleanse challenge (from Diane http://sugarfreejuli.com/21dsd ) and I will surprise my family with your amazing water melon recipe.
Thank you, Juli
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings
Yum! And what a fun way to eat fruit and cheese 🙂
Colleen (Souffle Bombay)
Oh, these are fun!!
Marly
What a fun recipe for something like a book reading club meeting!
Paula - bell'alimento
Seriously diggin on these kebabs!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition
I would sit right next to that tray and seat the whole thing happily! 🙂
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
My most favorite thing about summer is fresh watermelon! And I love it accented with mint. Great recipe!
Angie
These are so cute! I love this idea for the fourth!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
That's my kind of summer "dessert"!
Samantha
beautiful colors in this! LOVE the chunk of feta.
Jessica (Savory Experiments)
This looks great! Watermelon with queso fresco will be a new texture and flavor adventure!
Angela {Mind Over Batter}
Ooh... These look so pretty and delicious! Why do I have this overpowering urge to place them on the grill? Must be the skewer!
Julie
This is such a great party idea!!
Rebecca {foodie with family}
I would eat that entire tray by myself. I adore watermelon with cheese!