What’s a happening hot stuff???…
I thought I would take a little time to update you on some previous posts.
The Bachelor: Another one bites the dust. Shocking as you may find this, this week, Matt Grant(the London Bachelor) was dumped by his actress finance, Shayne Lamas. Apparently she hooked up with some guy in Vegas. Hmmm, I thought what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? Guess not. Or is it, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas…unless you are on the ABC show the Bachelor, then all bets are off. Not quite as catchy as the original slogan, but I am sure it will catch on.
Bikini Baristas: I will admit that I have yet to hear anymore about the boner inducing baristas of Bonney Lake(you know the ones who wore bikini’s but on Tuesday’s wore pasties!). I do have a reader from Bonney Lake so hopefully they can fill me in after reading this. My local coffee shack is putting their two cents in though. They have a sign outside their shack that reads “You don’t need pasties to be tasty!” So true. So true.
Tastespotting: I am showing up on Tastespotting, and I hope you are too. Some of you let me know I didn’t need validation for my photos. Which I don’t. I was just making a post to try and get it brought to Tastespotting’s attention since so many people were emailing and wanting answers and not getting them. In case you didn’t know, Sarah(Tastespotting) did leave a comment in the post, so you can go see that if you are curious.
4th of July and Mr. Melodramatic: It appears that our troll Mr. Melodramatic has left the building, or the blog in this case. No worries, I am sure some other person, not willing to leave a real website or email address, will be on soon enough to let me know what a moron I am. Don’t bother, I already know. 
And now on to current happenings:
Posting in the next two weeks could be a little sparse. The in-laws arrive tonight and we will be busy with them. I will try and post but there are no guarantees.
And now to the food, which in a way is kind of a happening. You see, every time I come on my blog(and well, you too) I see a slice of watermelon staring at me. Many people seem to think I love watermelon. And though I do like it, the only reason I picked it was because at the time it was really the only food related background Wordpress was offering(food blogging was not quite the juggernaut it is now). I realized that in all the years, I have a watermelon on my banner and I have yet to make anything involving watermelon. Today that changes. I present to you the no bake watermelon cheesecake with watermelon fresca. It’s a tribute in a way. You see my little watermelon slice is going bye-bye. Yes, ladies and gentleman Culinary Concoctions by Peabody is going in for a face lift. Not for a couple of months but it will be happening. So enjoy the watermelon slice while you can.
Speaking of watermelon, back to the cheesecake. It’s no bake, which in the Summer works out nicely. I originally was going to skip the crust but I am so happy I did not. You really need it to help hold this together. I was a little curious as to what the flavor was going to taste like. Think if Jolly Rancher made a creamy version of their watermelon candy(though a little more subtle in the flavor). I think it is a great dessert to use at a BBQ. It’s so refreshing.
Watermelon Cheesecake with Watermelon Fresca
2 cups cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons watermelon juice
2 tablespoons Torani watermelon syrup
1 drop red food color
1 cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup butter, melted
Using a stand mixer, cream together the sugar and cream cheese until smooth, about 3 minutes.
Mix in watermelon juice, watermelon flavoring and food color; set aside.
Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks; gently fold into the cream cheese mixture.
Combine together the graham cracker crumbs, butter and brown sugar until mixture is fully incorporated and mixture is moist from melted butter. Press into a springform pan.(9-inch or two 4 ½ -inch)
Fill pan cheesecake mixture. Tap pan to release some air bubbles.
Place in freezer for 2 hours, then transfer to the refrigerator. Let sit in fridge for another 3 hours. Top with watermelon Fresca and serve cold.
Watermelon Fresca
2 cups watermelon, diced
1 tablespoon mint, chopped(the mint at the store looked horrible so I skipped it, but I do think it would of added something nice to the fresca)
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon watermelon flavoring
1 tablespoon sugar
Combine ingredients; refrigerate until ready to use.
Source: Chef Eddie Matney
56 Responses
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July 24th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Ooh, a facelift! I can’t wait to see what it will be. No doubt gorgeous, to match the content of your blog. The watermelon cheesecake looks creamy and refreshing at the same time.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Watermelon cheesecake seems so unexpected but I am sure it is fabulous! For some reason the idea of a fruit flavored cheesecake never occurred to me, so I can’t wait to try this!
July 24th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Matt (the London bachelor) had it coming – all Shayne wanted was her 15 minutes of fame.
Have fun with your in-laws!!
What a fun cheesecake variety – never would have thought to incorporate watermelon into that type of dessert!! I can always count on you for inspiration, Peabody!! :0)
July 24th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Looks absolutely divine — and I don’t even like watermelon! Good luck with your in-laws.
July 24th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
WOW!! Watwemelon cheescake. What fun.
July 24th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Watermelon cheesecake — now that’s new to me. I’m not much of a cheesecake fan, but this looks too good to pass up. And nothing says summer like watermelon.
July 24th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Great idea! That cheesecake looks so perfect and light! I can’t wait to see the face-lift.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
This looks so summery and refreshing…and it really does match your current background well!
July 24th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Yeah, come to think of it there’s not a lot of watermelon desserts… Anyone up for watermelon cake? Watermelon turnovers? Ha ha ha. The cheesecake looks so creamy and refreshing, it could start a new wave of watermelon sweets
The watermelon is leaving?! Nooo!!! I’ve grown accustomed to its face. There’s even one below this comment box. I had no idea it was one of the default templates!
July 24th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Watermelon cheesecake is a great idea. What a nice colour.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Love all the updates:) Matt, we knew that wouldn’t last!!
Watermelon cheesecake mmm sounds really summery and delish.
bye bye watermelon slice~sniff sniff~ I’ll miss ya, but can’t wait to see what’s next!!
July 24th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
that’s beautiful, i’m trying to wrap my mind around a watermelon cheesecake. a creamy jolly rancher, that sounds good!
July 24th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Hi Peabody!!! It’s me, Elaine, the girl that once said she Hated Math!! I came here to tell you that after 3 weeks of intense math, tears and stress over it, I finally got to realize how much I like the challenge, and that I am starting to like it. I never thought I would say that, I am sure the next frustration I have I will say I hate Math again, but then, I will work hard to get it right and when I do I will always remember you, the story you told me about how you ended up liking math. I am happy that I can do it. Thank you for you support. I don’t hate math anymore
July 24th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Hello! Ok, my weekly farmers basket had 3 personal watermelons and I have been looking for recipes. And now, you bring me watermelon cheesecake!
Life is good. 
July 24th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Very refreshing and delicious! That’s maybe the only way that you’d make me eat watermelon… Wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
July 25th, 2008 at 1:45 am
Soooooo creamy looking! Thanks for the updates, I enjoyed reading the all Tastespotting discussion.
July 25th, 2008 at 1:55 am
That s really a summery dessert. Great idea.
July 25th, 2008 at 4:37 am
Ooooh. I LOOOVE watermelon AND cheesecake but never thought of putting them together. What a great idea! And it’s such a beautiful color! Love it!
July 25th, 2008 at 5:07 am
Watermelon cheesecake! What a great idea. I have never seen much in the way of watermelon desserts and this sounds great, especially for summer. I’d like to change some things of my blog also, but have yet to figure it all out!!!
July 25th, 2008 at 6:25 am
What a great tribute… and being that it’s no bake, even more reason to hit up the store for the Torani syrup! (Who knew that flavor even existed in syrup form!)
July 25th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Watermelon and cheesecake. Who would of ever thought? It looks so refreshing.
July 25th, 2008 at 8:32 am
what a yummy, fresh way to lighten up cheesecake! i am very impressed — looks great!
July 25th, 2008 at 8:45 am
I ran across a deliciously refreshing watermelon basil agua fresca on the Coconut & Lime blog. Sloppy to make, but worth it!
http://coconutlime.blogspot.com/2007/09/watermelon-basil-aqua-fresca.html
July 25th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Good riddance to Mr Troll … My b-day is July 3rd and have yet to have a b-day cake with a candle, always a sparkler. Do you know how hard it is to blow out a sparkler *LOL* your sarcastic humor is always appreciated!
July 25th, 2008 at 11:34 am
What a great idea – no-bake dessert for these hot hot summer days is the only way to go!
July 25th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I’d put that watermelon fresca on EVERYTHING!
July 25th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
That watermelon cheesecake looks so refreshing! You should submit it to our contest.
July 25th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
How intensely delicious! Sounds perfect now that it’s summer again in Seattle (did you notice it was fall/winter at the beginning of the week!?). I am always floored by your creativity and flair! xo
July 25th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Ooo I’ve never thought of a watermelon cheesecake. Looks delicious! Can’t wait to see what your new blog will look like.
July 25th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Oh, this would be perfect with our dinner tonight. So summery and what a great use of watermelon. Great idea!
July 25th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I like munching on frozen watermelon… but I’m weird.
July 25th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I am so into anything no bake at the moment. I’m melting in this heat! This looks so refreshing.
Hahaha, the bachelor! How on earth did that relationship not thrive and blossom?
July 25th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Wow Peabody! That sounds so delicious and refreshing! Yum! I’m excited to see your new blog facelift too
July 25th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Mmm! Looks delicious
Hope you have a good time with your in-laws
July 25th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
such a pretty color. you don’t see watermelon used much in desserts, and i’m sure this is quite refreshing! how exciting about your blog facelift…i went in for one, too, and hopefully the bandages will be coming off pretty soon…
July 25th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I love both watermelon and cheesecake but have never had them together…sounds good.
Have fun with the in-laws.
July 26th, 2008 at 3:47 am
Wow watermelon is not a fruit I would ever have though of putting in a cheesecake, but as a summery flavour it totally works. Love the colour too.
July 26th, 2008 at 4:41 am
[...] usually try not to link to blogs two weeks in a row but…Peabody did a watermelon cheesecake. Yep. I know. Check it [...]
July 26th, 2008 at 7:16 am
MMM that looks so refreshing for summer!! I LOVE cheesecake and anything cool and creamy!
July 26th, 2008 at 8:10 am
That is one combo I wouldn’t have thought of. You’re a clever girl.
I wonder if you showed up on TS because your post? Not that you shouldn’t have been showing up to begin with… Makes me think that they are not only highly subjective but they aren’t very objective. Oh well oh well. That was one novella of a response and I’m still not sure it said much… In the bigger scheme of things, it’s not all that important, eh?
Have fun w/ the ILs. Wish I could come by and kidnap you for lunch or something!
July 26th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Congrats on showing up on Tastespotting – I actually made my first post there also! I did have an email from Sara also.
The watermelon cheesecake looks yummy!
I left an award for you on my recent post. Feel free to pass it on if you wish!
July 26th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
If every anyon could make watermelon and cheesecake go together (and it seems an unlikely combination to me at first glance) it is you….and it looks like you did a fab job, too.
Have fun with the in-laws…and hope it cools down if it’s hot enough for the cheesecake.
July 27th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Have a good visit with the in-laws.
July 27th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Watermelon is one of my all-time favorite treats! I always try to think of ways to bake with it, but it sure is a finicky fruit… Love this idea though, it’s brilliant!
July 28th, 2008 at 12:48 am
I have to say this is very different and you make an excellent sales pitch for it with your luscious photos!
Watermelon fresca just sounds so summery and refreshing.
I loved the watermelon Jolly Rancher sweets; they were my favourites. They sold them at my high school shop and that is when I last had them…1975. I really want one now. (very sad face)
July 28th, 2008 at 7:06 am
So refreshing indeed! Have fun with your in-laws. I think I’ve seen the bikini baristas on the news not too long ago.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Love the update! lol
I hope you have fun with the fam in town.
This dessert makes me want some NOW!
July 28th, 2008 at 10:13 am
So funny that I just came and read this today, because I just posted about how I think that my husband is allergic to watermelon! It does sound tasty though!
July 28th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Hello from Bonney Lake. It’s so sad that the world knows us by our baristas. What’s funny is that we aren’t the only place with bikini clad baristas. Oh, well. No real update. They are still serving (usually with a long wait of pick-up trucks).
The watermelon cheesecake looks wonderful.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:55 am
Gorgeous cheesecake! Watermelon = summer to me, so put that in a no-bake cheesecake and I’m there!
Have fun with the in-laws!
July 29th, 2008 at 8:32 am
I’m not keen on watermelon either, but I’d give this a go -it looks lovely, and such a pretty pink.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Hope the in-laws visit goes nicely. I’m definitly in watermelon mode right now – slices of it, salads (sweet and savory), sorbets. Though this doesn’t begin with an ’s’ like all the others, it should make the watermelon desire list.
July 29th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Thats a super cool dessert for these hot months. oops..a hot one I mean!
July 30th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Can’t wait for the new face of your blog. I know I’ll love it.
And although I love watermelon (love, love, love it), I have never anything with it, besides juice. That is a great idea, Pea.
July 31st, 2008 at 7:59 am
Looks like really good cheesecake, I’ve not had much watermelon this year.
Glad you got to go on TS, I didn’t make it this time!
Have a super time with your in-laws.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
mmmm this looks so perfect for summer!!! i never realized your banner was a template – i always thought it was custom
can’t wait to see the site’s facelift… i am trying to work on one for mine too.