Thyme and Lemon Watermelon Canapés

I hope you all had a relaxing weekend. We had a time where we remembered all those who served and are serving our country in our home. We were surprised the pastor even worked the holiday into his sermon but it was great.

We kept so busy this weekend spending most of our day on Saturday in Allentown at their Mayfair Festival of the Arts. We have not been out that far yet but the day was super perfect for it because we soaked up some rays, checked out some lovely vendors, ate yummy food and perused through the Allentown Farmer's Market.

When we came back home, all I wanted for dinner was something light for dinner. I knew that my watermelon was ripe and ready to slice up so I sliced it up and removed the rind. I cut up the melon in large slices and proceeded to plan on a recipe for dinner.

Watermelon is so easy to consume as soon as it is sliced and diced especially when it is cold. It is the perfect summer fruit for grilling parties and outdoor entertaining parties but personally I had never created a recipe other than a drink.

I softened some cream cheese and made my own herbed creamy spread with lemon juice, truffled salt, and fresh thyme. It was super hard not to eat it all as I prepared the mix. I spread this creamy herbed spread on a water cracker and topped with a slice of watermelon in a flower shape. I then sprinkled more fresh thyme on top of the watermelon along with some lemon zest. So delicious.

It was super fun coming up with this recipe with my husband because we each had a different idea how the end result should be until it is was all finished. We were both happy with the results and I actually made the canapés my dinner that night. Thanks to Colleen Kennedy for helping me out with a title!

These are perfect for a tea, brunch, or any dinner party that requires an elegant appetizer. These are it and so tasty! I have entered this recipe for a contest for the Eat Write Retreat that is happening in close to a week and a half. I am so excited because I hope to get chosen to participate in a simulated cooking demo at the watermelon.org media training workshop! Wish me luck!

Make sure to check out Watermelon.org for lots of recipes using watermelon and tips on how to pick the perfect watermelon.

Thyme and Lemon Watermelon Canapés

by Noelle Kelly

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients (20-25 canapés)

Thyme and Lemon Cream Cheese

8-ounces Kraft whipped cream cheese
1 Tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon truffle salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Carr's table water crackers

20-25 watermelon pieces, cut in favorite 1-inch diameter

lemon zest

chopped fresh thyme

Instructions

Thyme and Lemon Cream Cheese

Mix all the herbs and spices into the whipped cream cheese. You can choose to let sit overnight or use immediately.

Watermelon

Peel a small watermelon and cut in 1/2-inch slabs. Use a cookie cutter of choice that cuts designs in 1-inch in diameter.

Assembly

Spread about 1-2 Tablespoons of cream cheese on each cracker and top with a watermelon slice. Once all crackers are displayed on a dish, garnish with lemon zest and chopped fresh thyme over the finished product.

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Labels: appetizers, canapes, cream cheese, easy, Eat Write Retreat 2014, gourmet, lemon, National Watermelon Promotion board, thyme, watermelon