Basically, Mark Bittman could tell me to grow my hair out, start wearing tapered jeans, and end every sentence with a questioning upward lilt like one of the cast members on Beverly Hills: 90210 and I would do it. He's just that good, you guys.
In last week's NY Times Magazine, the man who knows how to cook everything waxed delicious about several delightful non-meat options for your grill (or, in my case, grill pan over a weak gas stove), and I was intrigued, if -- I must admit -- cautiously skeptical.
Now, I'm all for unusual combinations (e.g. strawberry guacamole), but this seemed unfathomable: Wouldn't the watermelon just, you know, get all wet and soppy? And it's already one of the sweetest fruits imaginable -- couldn't grilling and caramelizing it turn the stuff positively cloying?
The answer to both questions is, of course, no. You've just got to learn to trust the Bittman.
There was nothing cloying or gloppy about the watermelon "burger" I enjoyed for lunch the other day: Grilling a steak of the stuff not only eradicated much of the excess moisture, but it also lent a really intoxicatingly savory smokiness that was startlingly "meatier" than I imagined it would be.
Plus, look how sexy those grill marks are on that hot pink flesh. Hubba hubba!
Sliced up, grilled up, and put on a toasted bun with all the usual accoutrements (lettuce, tomato, onion, salt, pepper), I have to say this was one of the most surprising and delightful meatless burgers ever to grace my plate. My only regret? I forgot the cheese.
Never, ever forget the cheese, my friends.
Have you grilled anything unusual this summer? And how is Best Summer Ever v. 2011 going for you so far? Mine has been absolutely stellar, and -- to quote the poet Karen Carpenter -- we've only just begun.
I should've known Bittman was involved. I already encountered a grilled watermelon salad yesterday and when I saw this I thought it couldn't be a coincidence. My doubts were the same as yours and if you were that delighted, it is a must try!
ReplyDelete@Nuts about food Grilled-watermelon salad sounds awesome: I would definitely throw some feta cheese, fennel and mint on there. Refreshing!
ReplyDelete(You've gotta try this, definitely. I wonder how other melons hold up to grilling, actually! Watch out, canteloupe...)
I am sooo intrigued by this! Especially by the toppings! I would love to try this out.
ReplyDelete@BigAppleNosh I don't even really like watermelon, and I loved this. Try it! Try it!
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to try grilled watermelon, but in a burger? That's weird. It looks good though, and I agree, Bittman is the man.
ReplyDeletehaha- WOW!! YUM!!! <3
ReplyDelete@TKW Weird can definitely be good (thank heavens it was in this case, or I would have been seriously disappointed.)
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for Bittman!
Now that's really different! I love the look of it, almost like tuna! I know I've had water melon with feta and black pepper, but this is totally new to me. I'll try it soon :)
ReplyDelete@TJG I thought the same thing: "Looks like tuna!" That might be a kind of awesome April Fool's joke to play on someone, actually…
ReplyDeleteMan! Awesome. I gotta try this. I figured it would be good, but it's always nice to have confirmation.
ReplyDelete@Nick (Macheesmo) Do not forget the cheese, my friend.
ReplyDeletei am a fan of grilled watermelon, i first tried it two summers ago and it was delightful. i paired it with goat cheese & it was so so so surprisingly good.
ReplyDeletei don't have a grill (the george foreman does not count!), i wonder if there's any other way to cook up these babies?
@Angry Asian I don't have a grill, either! I use a grill pan. In fact, I use my grill pan for everything -- what a genius invention.
ReplyDeletewow, I never considered that.
ReplyDeleteI pooh-poohed the idea of grilling strawberries with olive oil and black pepper as a recourse of poor flavourless strawberries.
But your grilled watermelon does look good...
@Pearl I understand your skepticism, but I've found generally that there's very little that can't be improved by grilling (except maybe iced cream?).
ReplyDeletethis looks awesome and I love Mark Bittman! Haven't really grilled anything strange this summer: just some paninis on my panini maker.
ReplyDelete@Olga @ MangoTomato Grilling is great! I've never made a pannino before, & while I don't have a press, I do have a George Foreman grill… could I use that to make one?
ReplyDelete(I also don't have a proper grill, and instead am reduced to using a pan in my tiny kitchen. But it seems to do the trick pretty well!)
Bravo on making Bittman's watermelon burgers. Great post and nice pix.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I just got a grill about a month ago. I have become a big fan of grilled w-melon with feta and basil. http://thehometome.com/2011/07/22/grilled-watermelon/
I highly recommend!
Haven't tried them yet but a friend of mine swears by grilled nectarines...
we just made these last night! it weirdly smelled like portobello mushrooms...
ReplyDelete@the actor's diet It is a bit strange how savory the whole thing gets. It would never have occurred to me!
ReplyDelete@Jocelyn Ooh, grilled w.melon with feta! Don't mind if I do…
ReplyDelete(Grilled nectarines are fantastic, and so are peaches -- especially if you soak them in a little balsamic vinegar first. Heavenly!)
I gotta be the odd person out here. I made these "burgers" and found them to be dreadful. But I did try Bittman's Curry-Rubbed Sweet-Potato Planks and found them to be wonderful! Each to his own in the kitchen and on the plate!
ReplyDelete@Mary Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear these didn't go well for you. But I do agree on those curry-rubbed sweet potatoes: Those were delicious, and now I'm hooked to grilling sweet potatoes!
ReplyDeleteI guess even Bittman can't nail it 100% all the time, huh?
This makes an even better grilled cheese sandwich than a burger! I tried it as a burger; then I sliced it more thinly, like sturdy bread, salted and peppered that, and put slices of cheddar and proscittto between them. Perfect. Next time I want to try it with some balsamic onions along with the cheese and prosciutto!
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