How to: Cut a Watermelon like a Pro!

It is officially the unofficial start of summer and for the next few months, watermelon will be at the peak of freshness! It is a great summer treat that curbs your sweet tooth while keeping you hydrated on a hot day. While I am a sucker for anything watermelon flavored, there is nothing better than the real thing!

Best Tools for the Job

1. My key ingredient is a serrated knife, this is my favorite, but any offset deli knife does a perfect job. Or even just a serrated knife in general.
   This is another great option. Or this one.
2. A steady cutting board is also very important, something like this. I like one with a groove to catch the juices before the run all over your counter.
3. I also love these enamel storage containers. They have a lid and can stylishly go from fridge to table effortlessly. Take a look at them here.

How to:

So let's talk about how to break down (that's a chef term) a watermelon safely and effectively while minimizing waste.

1. First cut off each end of the melon and stand it up vertically.

2. Begin slicing away the outer edges of the melon, this is where the serrated knife really come in handy. It helps you thinly slice off the rind while not taking off too much of the flesh. When you work in a restaurant waste is a BIG no-no, so this is important. I think that is important at home too.

3. Slice the now rindless melon into 6 large watermelon steaks. Break them in half and lay them on your board flat sides down. This gives you great stability and is the safest way to handel round fruit.

4. Slice into sticks and dice into cubes.

5. Place your cubes into a bowl or lidded container and refrigerate. Enjoy!

When I worked in hotels I perfected this method when I had to break down hundreds of pounds of melons each day. This is the greatest and safest way to cut watermelon. I hope this helps you enjoy the fruit all summer long.

Until next time, happy cooking!

Kendell

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Here are a few links to some of my favorite kitchen tools! You get a car, YOu get a car, YOU ALL GET A CAR...in my best Oprah voice ?

These Rösle Silicone Tongs are a little pricey but they will last you the rest of your life and are the most soft in your hand. This is important for someone like m that cooks so much. It reduces strain, I have 4 sets in my kitchen! ?

These are my FAV Nordic Ware Sheet Pans, every kitchen should have at least 2 sets of these! I think I have at least 4 of each of these. ?

This is my favorite pressure cooker, the Fagor is the same concept as the "Instant Pot" but easier to use in my opinion, if you don't have one you NEED one, it will be your best friend in the kitchen!

A sharp knife is the most important tool in the kitchen, these Japanese steel "Shun" knives are my favorite! And this is a great starter set to build on. Once you try them you will be in love so use this as a foundation you can build on for years to come.

This Scanpan 11" skillet is just the right size for almost anything you will need to cook and my best friend and a real workhorse in my kitchen, it’s also a great deal at $99. Scanpan is the best in the world for healthy cooking. It is coated with a proprietary ceramic titanium coating that is durable while allowing you to use fewer fats and oils when cooking. It is a coating only they use. I could talk all day about my love for these pans, message me if you want more info. Here are some other sizes that are available if you are looking to outfit your kitchen with some new goodies. 8" & 10" Skillet setor 8" Skillet, I still need this one for my kitchen ? Also, I don't really know how to cook small so the 12.5" is my other fave!

This giant vat of olive oil is my favorite, I decant it into a smaller bottle for my counter. Or put this spigot on top of a wine bottle!

This Tovolo jar scraper has to be my single favorite kitchen tool, it is definitely the most used tool in my kitchen. If you are NOT a gadget person, this is the only necessity I say is a MUST beyond the wooden spoon.

A great wood spoon is essential, this Olive Wood one is my favorite, I have more than I can count. ? But can you really ever have too many?

A food scale can be a very important tool in your kitchen, this one is the one I use every day!

If you love Joanna Gaines as much as I do then the ‘Magnolia Table Cookbook’ is a must in your kitchen, get a copy HERE!

Check out this great product for your mason jar, the Ergo Spout lets you turn any jar into a pourable pitcher. Get yours here! I love making my homemade salad dressing and keeping them this way in the refrigerator.