As refreshing afternoon snacks or lighter sides for off-the-grill favorites, these watermelon salad recipes offer new ways to enjoy a warm-weather classic.
Why Watermelon?
Not only is it a delicious, hydrating fruit, watermelon is a good source of antioxidant vitamins C and A (as carotenoids), some B vitamins, and minerals like potassium and magnesium, all of which help your body function at its best. Watermelon also contains the same powerhouse phytochemical as tomatoes -lycopene, best known for supporting lung, heart, prostate and breast health – the redder the watermelon, the better!
Simple Watermelon Salad Recipe
A super-quick and easy recipe that instantly elevates plain watermelon to a fragrant and savory salad…We love this sweet & salty combo with Rosemary Olive Oil, which adds a piney essence.
Ingredients:
- Watermelon
- Rosemary or Basil Flavored Olive Oil
- Savory Salt Blend
- Optional: Pepper & Juniper Blend
Cube watermelon into bite-sized pieces, then drizzle with Rosemary or Basil Flavored Olive Oil. Add a touch of natural salt, and Pepper Blend if you like. It’s that easy!
Watermelon and Feta Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
- Watermelon
- Feta or goat cheese
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Optional: Salt Blend and Pepper Blend
- Optional: herb flavored olive oil or EVOO
- Vegan version: go with walnuts instead of cheese
Like the salad above, you could dress this Watermelon and Feta Salad with just an herbed olive oil. We enjoyed it with a fig balsamic reduction. You could also drizzle it with balsamic vinaigrette (get recipes here).
If dressing with a balsamic reduction, prepare that first (see recipe below).
Slice the watermelon into large squares and put one on each plate. Top with an equally sized slab of feta cheese, and drizzle with olive oil, balsamic reduction or balsamic vinaigrette. Add freshly ground pepper if you like. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.
Alternately, you could cube the watermelon and top with crumbled feta or goat cheese. Feta will add more saltiness to the dish, while goat cheese is tangier and creamier. You may want to add pepper, as well as freshly ground salt if using goat cheese.
Balsamic Vinegar Reduction Recipe
2 cups Organic Balsamic Vinegar or Fig Balsamic Vinegar
Place balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vinegar reduces to about 1/2 cup and thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. (Note that it will continue to thicken as it cools) Cool completely, then use as desired.
Watermelon Dinner Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
- Watermelon
- Organic feta or goat cheese
- Microgreens or baby greens
- Basil or Rosemary Flavored Olive Oil
- Balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze
- Optional: 1 medium red onion or shallot
- Optional: Savory Salt Blend and Pepper & Juniper Blend
- Vegan option: substitute walnuts for the feta or goat cheese
If you are using a balsamic glaze, prepare the balsamic reduction (recipe above)
Slice a medium-sized watermelon into bite-sized cubes. Place about 1 cup of micro- or baby greens on each plate and top with about 1 to 1.5 cups of cubed watermelon. Add to each salad a sprinkle of feta or goat cheese, some onion or shallot (if using), and drizzle with one or more of the following:
- Basil or Rosemary Flavored Olive Oil
- Balsamic glaze
- Herbed balsamic vinaigrette (recipes here)
Finish with a few grinds of Salt Blend and Pepper Blend, if you wish. Enjoy!
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Reference: .
The World’s Healthiest Foods. Watermelon. WHFoods.com, last accessed June 24, 2019 at http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31
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