How to Cut a Watermelon

Plus, your Fourth of July menu. [START FREE TRIAL]( or [LOG IN]( [America's Test Kitchen: Notes from the Test Kitchen]( [America's Test Kitchen: Notes from the Test Kitchen]( [FIND RECIPES ›]( June 30, 2023 [A collection of recipes from this newsletter]( [A collection of recipes from this newsletter]( What’s New at ATK [Cutting a watermelon]( How to Cut a Watermelon No matter how you slice it, cutting up an entire watermelon can be intimidating. [Here are three of our favorite ways to break down a whole melon. →]( Cooler Tips You Should Know Before Your Next Beach Day There’s some strategy involved in packing a cooler.[Use these 10 tips to pack your cooler more effectively. →]( A Note From Our Test Cooks [Capicola Picnic Sandwich with Artichoke Spread; Erin McMurrer's Headshot]( Your Fourth of July Menu From Erin McMurrer, Director of Culinary Production, TV Living close to the ocean, I’ve had a lifetime of joyful adventures with family and friends: weekend sailing trips, hot summer days at the beach, long walks along the coast, storm watching from the safety of the car, enjoying local seafood and ice cream on a harborside bench–the fun is endless. The Fourth of July brings even more excitement because it revolves around food and brilliant firework displays! I like to build my menu around dishes that are in season, can be made ahead, travel well, and are easy to eat whether you’re sitting on a blanket watching the waves crash or on a seawall oohing and ahhing at the fireworks. One of my favorite ways to plan a casual party is to center it around side dishes. I prepare at least one that’s fruit-based, such as [Watermelon Salad with Cotija and Serrano Chiles]( or [Peaches, Blackberries, and Strawberries with Basil and Pepper]( and one that’s pasta-based, such as [Israeli Couscous with Lemon, Mint, Peas, Feta, and Pickled Shallots]( [Pasta Salad with Pesto]( or [Italian Pasta Salad](. Finally, I include a vegetable-centric dish: [Cobb Chopped Salad]( [Mediterranean Chopped Salad]( and [Broccoli Salad with Avocado Dressing]( are all great choices. I’m very happy with side dishes alone, but, if you like, you can also whip up a make-ahead sandwich or cold picnic chicken to anchor the meal. Some of my go-tos are [Capicola Picnic Sandwich with Artichoke Spread]( [French Summer Sandwiches with Zucchini and Olive Tapenade]( [Spice-Rubbed Picnic Chicken]( and [Picnic Fried Chicken](. When the sun is shining (and even once it sets), you’ll want to have plenty of drinks on hand. This year, I’ll be serving a kid-friendly choice such as [Strawberry-Lime Lemonade]( along with [Mixed Berry Rosé Sangria]( are fresh, fruity, and real crowd-pleasers. For dessert, there’s nothing more festive–and convenient–than [Peach Hand Pies]( or [Cherry Hand Pies](. These handheld treats can be made well in advance and no utensils are needed, which makes them ideal for enjoying outside. Members get every recipe, review, and video. Get instant access to everything from the most trusted cooking experts. [Start your 2-week free trial](. Make-Ahead Mains [Capicola Picnic Sandwich with Artichoke Spread →]( [Picnic Fried Chicken →]( [French Summer Sandwiches with Zucchini and Olive Tapenade →]( Side Dish Superstars [Watermelon Salad with Cotija and Serrano Chiles →]( [Israeli Couscous with Lemon, Mint, Peas, Feta, and Pickled Shallots →]( [Broccoli Salad with Avocado Dressing →]( Something to Sip On [Strawberry-Lime Lemonade →]( [Mixed Berry Rosé Sangria →]( [Michelada (Mexican Beer and Lime Cocktail) →]( [Succeed Every Time you Cook. Try Digital All Access. 14,000+ Reliable Recipes, Free Shipping in Our Shop, Mobile App, 8,000+ Product Reviews, Cookbook Collection. Unlock the secret to perfect melty indoor s'mores and more test kitchen tips. Get 14 Days Free. S'mores Bars.]( [Couscous]( From Our Online Cooking School Making Couscous Bridget Lancaster shows you how to make couscous for great picnic sides. 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