Healthy Watermelon Dill Gazpacho

Okay, before I dive into the recipe for this Watermelon Dill Gazpacho (which is so freaking delish, might I add), I want to go in another direction for a minute and talk about my personal life. (So if that is of zero interest to you, by all means, scroll down to the bottom for the recipe!)

The thing is, 2020 was a bananas year—for everybody. In fact, month after month, it was one of the hardest years I’ve had. I had so much heartbreak, so many obstacles. And with that? So much growth.

In fact, looking back on 2020, I feel an immense sense of gratitude. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to get the push I needed. I would never have moved out on my own. Or started investing in my future. All of this to say, that mid-2021, and the world, to me, feels like a different place. I feel like an entirely different person. I have learnt so much this year: about being independent, about what I want in a relationship, about social justice, about living a life with impact, about what I want my future to look like.

Things are going to switch up in a few months, and I’m really excited about it. (I’ll be sharing more details soon, promise.)

But I’m really excited for how much I’ve been able to accomplish up until now.

I don’t know about you, but so often, I’m looking so far into the future, that I’m not really taking the time to look back at where I started. Five years ago, I decided I wanted to go to culinary school after learning about holistic nutrition. I shared my love of food and nutrition on this blog, and that passion lead me to a career working as a food stylist. And eventually working as the menu developer and food photographer for Impact Kitchen, a healthy restaurant chain with soon-to-be five locations. I’ve had published work in magazines and cookbooks. I’ve worked with very talented people and clients. I’ve worked with hundreds of brands.

Doing all of this helped me to not only practice and refine my skills, but it also taught me the parts of my job that I love, and the parts that I don’t love.

I love inspiring people to get in the kitchen. I love making food look beautiful. I love creating healthy recipes.

I also love nutrition. In the last year, I’ve really loved breaking down diet culture. (Which lead me to create Diet Freedom Academy.) I am endlessly passionate about inspiring people to eat well, to eat whole, nourishing foods. And also, to say f*ck it to unrealistic beauty standards and our society’s obsession with weight loss.

These are the two things that I will continue to focus on, and put my energy into.

Not everyone gets to have a job that they’re insanely passionate about. I do. That feels really special.

I’m sharing all of this, because I have some fun things happening in the next few months, and I really can’t wait to share it with you. I also wanted to remind you to look at how far you’ve come. Because I bet you’re in a completely different place now then you were 5 years ago. I was having a chat with another food stylist and baker friend of mine. He said “it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come.”

And we’re still just getting started.

Hold on to that–you’re doing incredible. Okay, on to the recipe!

How To Make Watermelon Dill Gazpacho

Holy, gazpacho is so underrated. It’s been so incredibly hot here in Toronto, and the idea of cooking has lost all appeal. So I’ve been really digging all things cool and fresh. And this Watermelon Dill Gazpacho fits the bill!

I actually first had something like this years ago, at a pub with a friend. It was magical. I didn’t expect to love the combination of watermelon and dill so much. It’s absolutely refreshing, still very savoury, and with the added feta, I find it to be totally satisfying.

To make it: you simply add all of your ingredients into a food processor (or blender!) and process until mostly broken down. You don’t want to puree it, you just want to get rid of any chunks.

Then top with watermelon, dill, feta and cucumber. Serve with sourdough or whatever else you like!

Key Ingredients

• watermelon
• red pepper
• tomato
• red onion
• cucumber
• dill
• feta

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Watermelon, Cucumber + Tequila Cocktails

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Make sure you add this recipe to your repertoire. It’s a perfect summery meal!

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