Salads featuring watermelon shine in summer

FALLBROOK – Who doesn't like eating watermelon on a hot summer day? While watermelon slices are a treat by themselves, using watermelon in salads is another way to enjoy the refreshing fruit.

The following recipes for some truly tasty salads – "Chicken Salad with Watermelon and Peaches," "Fresh Mozzarella Salad" and "Fluffy Watermelon Salad" – are courtesy of the Watermelon Board.

Chicken Salad with Watermelon and Peaches

Makes 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

3 cups chopped cooked chicken

1 cup plain yogurt

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon dried dill leaf

1 tablespoon juice from a lemon

dash of salt and pepper to taste

2 peaches seeded and chopped

2 cups chopped seeded watermelon

Directions:

Mix together the chicken, yogurt, mayonnaise, dill and lemon juice

Add chopped peaches and watermelon and serve as is or on a toasted roll.

Fresh Mozzarella Salad

Makes 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

2 cups seeded small watermelon balls

2 cups fresh mozzarella pieces

1 cup chopped fresh basil (purple or green)

bunch scallions, trimmed and chopped

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

pinch salt and pepper to taste

dash balsamic vinegar as desired

Directions:

Toss together the watermelon, mozzarella, basil, scallions and oil

Season with salt and pepper to taste

Serve over a bed of baby greens with crostini on the sides

Drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar over if desired

Fluffy Watermelon Salad

Makes 8-12 servings

Ingredients:

3 envelopes plain gelatin

1 cup boiling water

3 cups watermelon puree*

1 cup lightly toasted coconut

4 cups whipped topping

2 cups shredded sweetened coconut

Directions:

Dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water and stir into the watermelon puree

Pour the mixture into a 9 x 13 casserole dish and chill overnight or until very firm

Lightly toast cup of coconut and set aside to cool

Add layer of whipped cream to serving dishes

Cut chilled gelatin/puree mixture into small squares and place in serving dishes over layer of whipped cream

Top with coconut

Add dollop of whipped topping and sprinkle with toasted coconut

Serve immediately

*To make the watermelon puree, remove seeds from fresh watermelon and cut into large chunks. Place in a blender and process until smooth and well pureed.