Best Way to Slice a Watermelon

One of the most often asked questions I get is:  "how do you slice a watermelon?"  Here are the instructions that I give to the parents who do that job.

Watermelons

Please wash hands and have clean surfaces as you prepare food.  Wash outside of melon getting all the dirt off.  Dry off with towel.  Cut off the ends into about 1-1 ½” of the top and bottom.  Cut watermelon in half lengthwise.  Turn halves onto flat side.  Then, cut each of those halves into three parts, also lengthwise.  You will have six pieces. 

Lay the pieces on the side and cut into ½” slices.  The pieces will be sort of a triangle.  Place melon slices into foil pan and cover tightly with foil.

Time to Get Back to this Blog

Today marked the first competition for the 2012 Marching Band competition season!  The kids marched in the parade held in Cupertino this morning, then did their fabulous field show tonight!  This year, Saratoga High Marching Band has been selected to participate in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Thanksgiving day!  Hence, the practice at the Cupertino parade.

I was not able to view the parade as I was back at the school getting their lunch ready for when they returned.  I think that is the only drawback to organizing the food--missing some of what the kids are doing.  I do love to help feed the band though!

There were two meals to plan and serve today.  Lunch was tacos, and a "light dinner" was pasta salad.  I always plan a balanced meal for the kids.  So there is always fruit, and usually some type of vegetable, even if it is just salad.  I had many helping hands to get the food prepared and served!  There were two mom's who got out their iPhones and took a couple of photos of dinner.  There are no photos of lunch, but here is what we had to put them together:

Taco's

Flour or corn tortillas

Refried Beans

Ground Turkey, cooked with taco seasoning

Tortilla Chips

Chopped tomatoes

Shredded lettuce

Grated cheddar or mexican blend cheese

Salsa

Sour Cream

Sliced Olives

Guacamole

Pile beans, meat, and toppings on a tortilla, or over tortilla chips. 

This was served with sliced watermelon and bananas.

Pasta Salad

Cooked Pasta

Canned Kidney Beans, drained

Sliced Olives

Cubed or shredded Cheddar Cheese

Chopped Celery

Chopped bell peppers (I like the try-color)

Sliced Green Onion

(you can any other items you want such as:  cherry tomatoes, garbonzo beans, broccoli flowerets, etc.)

Italian Dressing (I like to use the Smart & Final brand)

Toss everything in a bowl!