Watermelon Basket

• Cutting a watermelon into a basket is a fancy and challenging method, but also the most impressive. You'll need a serrated knife, a garnishing tool, a permanent marker and a melon baller. Choose a large, oval-shaped watermelon and cut a 1/8-inch piece off the side so the watermelon basket can sit flat on a table. Place the watermelon cut side down so it rests evenly on the table. Score the watermelon in half horizontally using a permanent marker, leaving a 2-inch space in the middle on both sides for the basket handle. Draw in the guiding lines for the handle with the permanent marker. Insert the garnishing tool as far as possible into the watermelon along the guiding lines to create decorative "V" cuts. Repeat the cuts twice more with the garnishing tool to make it easier to separate the pieces from the watermelon. Gently lift the cut portions away from the watermelon basket. Using a mellon baller, hollow out the basket by scooping out all the fruit. If any permanent marker markings still show lightly sand them off the watermelon for a clean look. Fill the basket with slices of pineapple, kiwi, strawberry, watermelon balls and cantaloupe.

Fun Shapes

• Watermelon flesh is very fragile and easy to cut, ideal for cookie cutter shapes like stars. Cut the watermelon into 1- to 1 1/2-inch thick circular slices. Lay the slices on a cutting board and press the cooking cutter shapes through the flesh, working from the outside in. Arrange the watermelon shapes on a plate and serve.

Frozen Watermelon Treats

• To make watermelon popsicles you need to cut the watermelon in a thick stick shape. To do this, cut the watermelon in half horizontally. Place the watermelon flesh side down on a cutting board and use a 12-inch chef knife to cut away the rind. Cut away the rounded edges of the watermelon to give it a square shape. Slice the watermelon into 2-inch thick watermelon sheets. Cut the watermelon sheets into 3x5-inch rectangles. Insert a stick in the center of the base and push in about 2 1/2 inches deep. Place the watermelon popsicles in the freezer for several hours, until frozen and serve on a hot summer day.

Soup or Salad Bowl

• Cutting a watermelon into a soup or salad bowl works best with smaller, rounder watermelons. Start by cutting the watermelon in half. Scoop out all the flesh with a melon baller or ice cream scoop. Cut a very thin slice on the bottom of the watermelon bowl so that it can rest flat without rolling away. Be careful not to cut too much, otherwise the bowl will leak. Use the bowl to serve salad, fruit or chilled soup.