Sweet Baked Life

Are you inspired by your surroundings? I am!  Last week I attended a luncheon where we were treated to an incredible “Farm to Fork” meal using solely fresh ingredients from our local farms to create a scrumptiously fresh and appealing lunch. The highlight for me was a beverage, Watermelon Agua Fresca — it truly inspired me. This delightful pinkish-red concoction was presented in a tall glass bottle, which was gently poured into a tiny jar lined with some type of raw pink sugar! And yes, I was hooked from the very first sip. Can we say AMAZING!  I defiantly knew I had to recreate this refreshing drink at home! And easily and quickly I did!

In my own “Farm to Fork” version, I used a watermelon from Vierra Farms that I purchased at my local Raley’s and the limes were picked fresh off my lime tree growing in my farm (backyard!). You too can get inspired to create some wonderful recipes by using freshly grown products from your region!

Watermelon Agua Fresca

1 large seedless watermelon; flesh chopped into 2-3 inch pieces
1 cup water
2 tablespoons Agave Nectar or sugar
2 limes, squeezed

In a blender begin by adding a small amount of watermelon and process until the watermelon begins to liquify. Then continue adding the pieces of watermelon, ensuring not to overfill your blender and blend until completely liquified. Using a fine mesh sieve over a large bowl, pour the watermelon pure. You may have to use a spoon to stir to quicken the process. Repeat with remaining watermelon — note, I filled up my blender 3 times in total.

Into the watermelon juice, add the water (a little at a time until you get the consistency you desire — my watermelon was super juicy so I did not use much), Agave Nectar, if needed for sweetness and the lime juice. Stir until combined and adjust taste as needed. Store in a glass container with a lid and refrigerator until cold, about 1-2 hours. To serve, fill a glass with ice and pour.

Not only is this Watermelon Agua Fresca super easy to make, it is so refreshing to drink!  And if you want, you can even turn it into a Watermelon Margarita by simply adding some of your favorite Tequila and triple sec!  Yummy!

What is “Farm to Fork” you might ask? In a nutshell, it’s local restaurants and chefs using fresh ingredients from our plentiful local farms to create wonderful meals for all of us to enjoy. It really is a no-brainer in the area that I live — in Sacramento we are surrounded by thousands of farms that harvest a multitude of products, and Sacramento boasts over 50 farmers markets. “Farm to Fork” freshness is truly a wonderful concept! And if you don’t know it already, Sacramento was recently declared “America’s Farm to Fork Capital”. There is a huge buzz around this claim and it will be celebrated in September by a week filled with festivities hosted by the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau for your entire family to enjoy!

Now go explore what your region has to offer! And surprise your family with something new and fresh with your own “Farm to Fork”!