Watermelon Gazpacho & Gourmet Grilled Cheese
- wayne443
- Jul 11
- 3 min read
Welcome back to the kitchen, and thank you for joining me for Episode 6 of The Consummate Host. We’re right in the middle of our Egg Decorating Brunch series, and today’s focus is the menu!
If you’ve been following along, you know I believe in meals that do more than fill the table—they create an experience. This week’s dishes do just that:
● Watermelon Gazpacho
● Brie, Sharp Cheddar & Green Apple Grilled Cheese
They’re light, fresh, and perfect for any spring or summer brunch gathering.
Watermelon Gazpacho
Fresh, colorful, and as beautiful as it is TASTY!
Ingredients:
● 5 cups pureed watermelon
● 4 cups cubed watermelon
● 1 cup red onion
● 2 cups peeled and seeded cucumber
● 1 cup inner celery stalks with greens
● 2 cups cherry tomatoes
● 1 minced jalapeño
● ⅓ cup fresh lime juice
● 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (try blackberry ginger!)
● Drizzle of olive oil
● Himalayan salt to taste
● 4 sprigs of mint
Bright watermelon cubes, sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, celery, mint, and a halved jalapeño beautifully arranged in small bowls.
Traditional gazpacho usually starts with tomatoes but we’re flipping the script. This version uses pureed watermelon as a base, resulting in a chilled soup that’s sweet, crisp, and light. What makes this recipe unique is that only half the watermelon is blended. The rest of the ingredients are left chunky, giving it a refreshing bite and a colorful finish.
Purée half your watermelon and pour it into a large mixing bowl to start building the soup base.
Combine all your chopped ingredients into the watermelon puree, season with salt, stir well, and add whole mint sprigs. Chill overnight for the flavors to meld. Prefer a smoother soup? You can always puree the whole mixture instead. Remove mint before serving.
The Grown-Up Grilled Cheese
Creamy, crisp, and layered with flavor
Gather all your sandwich ingredients and prep your workspace before you begin assembling.
This grilled cheese combines sweet, tart, creamy, and sharp flavors into one incredible bite.
What You’ll Need:
Multigrain bread
Sharp cheddar
Brie
Granny Smith apple slices
Mango-agave red chili marmalade (optional)
Butter for grilling
Butter the outside of your bread, then layer cheddar, brie, apple slices, and marmalade inside. Close the sandwich gently.
Grill your sandwich on medium-low heat so the bread browns evenly and the cheese melts without burning.
Slice your sandwich in half for the perfect cheesy pull, and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Enjoy!
The Little Touches That Make It Memorable
Use leftover fabric to create napkin rings that match your table decor for a cohesive, elegant look.
This brunch is about creating an experience, not just serving food. Wayne ties decor into the event for a coordinated, welcoming feel.
Watch the Full Episode!
Watch the video to see Wayne demo each step of these recipes and get bonus hosting tips for your own brunch!
Manifesto Moment
We believe all events should be peppered with magic moments.
It’s the scent of melted brie, the crunch of apple, the cool mint in chilled soup, those thoughtful touches are what elevate a meal into something unforgettable.
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