What a beautiful weekend we have just had, and well deserved after that bought of high heat earlier last week.   Last week, during our hot spell, I kept coming back to this old recipe that really helps cool you off from the inside out.  I know we have posted this before, but it is worth putting up again. Watermelon and cucumber, the main ingredients in this dish, according to Chinese medicine, are very cooling and can help relieve thirst.

Trust me, this dish is delicious!  And to prove it, I am offering a free women’s Selby Acupuncture T-Shirt to the first person who makes this dish and posts a picture on our Facebook page.  Honestly, it is just that good.

INGREDIENTS

8 cups 1/4-inch-diced watermelon

1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely diced

1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

2 tablespoons minced shallot

2 medium garlic cloves, minced

3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

3/4 teaspoon salt

Black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Mix ingredients in a large bowl. Puree about half of the mixture in a blender or food processor to the desired smoothness. Stir in the remaining diced mixture.

Chill for at least one hour, to allow flavors to combine, and stir well before serving.

Serve chilled and enjoy!