A quick and easy dessert. Perfect ending for a summer meal.
The right dessert can make that special meal incredible
About five years ago my dear friends Meg and Aaron invited me for dinner at their place on the Jersey shore. If you don’t know where the Jersey shore is, go south from Manhattan for about a hour or so and then direct East until you hit sand. The Jersey shore is a mini-paradise for those who know it, and the locals just call the beach. The summer in Joisey (as the strong accent proliferates now in my head) the weather is hot and sunny. Being invited to have dinner at my friend’s place on the ocean was special.
My two friends love to cook and love food. Aaron was the chef that night for this invited meal. They live directly in front of the ocean (lucky them), in a cute and lively apartment. Belmar in the summer is a touristy area and everyone is walking around enjoying sun and fun. The meal that night was stupendous (it is true Aaron, you are an amazing cook!) but it was his dessert that left a strong memory to the meal. With the warm summer breezes and my stomach pleasantly full, this light and simple dessert hit the spot. I have made it again several times and it is still delicious each time. But I will admit, this dessert tastes even better sitting in front of the ocean on a warm summer night.
Thank you Aaron, I present you with the recipe for Mascarpone and Lime Topped Watermelon. But first…let me add my two cents on desserts.
A small dessert portion is just right to feel satiated
I don’t think dessert necessarily has to be dietetic. A dessert needs some ingredients in it that gives a good mouth feel, for example, cream or fat. Eating a smaller portion of a lighter dessert is a healthy option to ‘having your cake and eating it too.’
This dessert has a fruit component and the creamy topping is full-packed with flavor, you don’t need to add much of the topping to the watermelon to make the dessert taste right.
Finally, this recipe is presented to you as part of the Recipe Redux Challenge, which I am honored to participate in. This month’s recipe challenge is on desserts because the Recipe Redux Challenge is celebrating its first anniversary and what a great reason to celebrate!
Enjoy the recipe, let me know how it turns out. My fellow Recipe Redux websites also have delicious dessert recipes to choose from. Check out their selections below.
Buon Appetito!
Mascarpone and Lime Topped Watermelon
| Serves | 8-10 |
| Prep time | 10 minutes |
| Allergy | Milk |
| Meal type | Dessert |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Serve Cold |
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Watermelon (Preferably seedless)
- 8oz Mascarpone Cheese
- 1 Juice of Lime
- 1 bunch Fresh Mint
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1/8 cup Granulated sugar
Note
This dessert tastes best in hot weather. The watermelon should be cold before adding the topping and served quickly. Don't hesitate to decrease the sugar in the cream but it needs some sweet flavor. You could add honey as a substitute for granulated sugar.
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Mix all ingredients except watermelon and mint with a fork or whisk in a bowl until creamy. | |
| Step 2 | |
| Cut watermelon into large decorative squares removing the peel from each square. | |
| Step 3 | |
| Wash the mint and remove the leaves from the stem. | |
| Step 4 | |
| Lay out individual plates for number of servings and top each plate with a piece of watermelon. | |
| Step 5 | |
| Add a small dollop of mascarpone cream on top of each piece of watermelon. | |
| Step 6 | |
| Put a mint leaf on top of mascarpone cream and serve. | |
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About Mary Brighton
Mary Brighton MS, RD is a registered dietitian in America, France and United Kingdom. She received her Masters of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Colorado State University. She currently lives in France, is learning Italian and loves to travel, eat, be a mom.
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Hi! This dessert looks delicious. I live on the beach in Charleston, SC and can only imagine how refreshing this dessert would be on a hot day! I am interning with Regan Jones and love looking at all of the great ReDux recipes. Thanks for sharing!
Molly Jones
Intern for ReganMillerJones, Inc.
This dessert is perfect in front of the ocean. Something about the ocean air and eating this light dessert-it goes together. Enjoy!
What a fantastic idea! This is one of the most creative dessert recipes I’ve seen in a long time, I love it!
Hi! Thanks so much for your supportive comment!