Name: Watermelon Salad with Feta Recipe
Ingredients: Watermelon: The star of the show, watermelon provides the sweet, juicy base for this salad. When choosing a watermelon, look for one that feels heavy for its size and has a deep, resonant sound when you thump it. A consistent, yellow ground spot (where the melon rested on the ground) is also a good indicator of ripeness. For this salad, seedless watermelon is the most convenient option, but seeded watermelon works just as well – just be prepared to remove the seeds. The type of watermelon can also influence the flavor profile. Crimson Sweet watermelons offer a classic sweet taste, while Sugar Baby watermelons are known for their intense sweetness and smaller size, perfect for single servings or smaller gatherings. Consider experimenting with different varieties to discover your personal favorite for this salad. Beyond the taste, watermelon is incredibly hydrating, making this salad a perfect choice for hot summer days. It’s packed with vitamins A and C, and also contains antioxidants like lycopene, which is known for its potential health benefits.; Feta Cheese: Feta provides the salty, tangy counterpoint to the watermelon’s sweetness. It’s crucial to use good quality feta for the best flavor. Look for feta that is stored in brine, as this keeps it moist and flavorful. Greek feta, made from sheep’s milk or a mixture of sheep and goat’s milk, is considered the most authentic and has a richer, more complex flavor than feta made from cow’s milk. When selecting feta, consider the texture you prefer. Some feta is crumbly and dry, while others are creamier and smoother. For this salad, a slightly crumbly feta works well, allowing it to distribute evenly and provide bursts of salty flavor throughout. Don’t be tempted to use pre-crumbled feta, as it often lacks flavor and can be dry. Instead, buy a block of feta and crumble it yourself just before adding it to the salad. Feta is also a good source of calcium and protein, adding nutritional value to this refreshing salad.; Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a welcome sharpness and bite to the salad, balancing the sweetness of the watermelon and the saltiness of the feta. Red onion is milder than yellow or white onions and offers a slightly sweet and peppery flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully. When selecting red onion, choose one that is firm and has a vibrant red color. To mellow the sharpness of the red onion and make it even more palatable in the salad, you can soak the thinly sliced onion in ice water for about 10-15 minutes before adding it to the salad. This process helps to reduce the sulfur compounds that cause the onion’s pungent flavor. Alternatively, you can quickly pickle the red onion by tossing it in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt for a few minutes. This adds a slightly sweet and tangy element to the onion, further enhancing its flavor profile in the salad.; Fresh Mint: Fresh mint is the herbaceous element that brings a refreshing coolness to the salad. Its bright, slightly sweet, and minty flavor elevates the entire dish and complements both the watermelon and feta perfectly. Use fresh mint leaves for the best flavor; dried mint is not a suitable substitute in this recipe. Look for mint that is vibrant green and has perky leaves. Avoid mint that is wilted or has brown spots. To prepare the mint, gently pluck the leaves from the stems and roughly chop them. Avoid chopping the mint too finely, as this can bruise the leaves and release bitter flavors. Mint is not only flavorful but also adds a touch of visual appeal to the salad. Its vibrant green color contrasts beautifully with the red watermelon and white feta. Beyond its flavor and visual appeal, mint also has digestive properties and can help to freshen breath, making this salad a refreshing and healthy choice.; Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil is essential for the dressing. It adds richness, flavor, and helps to bind the ingredients together. Extra virgin olive oil has a fruity, slightly peppery flavor that complements the other ingredients in the salad perfectly. When choosing olive oil, look for one that is cold-pressed and has a robust flavor. The quality of the olive oil will significantly impact the overall taste of the salad, so it’s worth investing in a good one. Store your olive oil in a cool, dark place to maintain its quality and flavor. Olive oil is also a source of healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, contributing to the nutritional benefits of this salad.; Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the acidity that brightens the flavors of the salad and balances the sweetness of the watermelon and richness of the olive oil. Fresh lemon juice is far superior to bottled lemon juice in terms of flavor and freshness. When selecting lemons, choose ones that are heavy for their size and have a bright yellow color. To get the most juice out of your lemons, roll them firmly on the countertop before squeezing. Lemon juice not only adds flavor but also helps to prevent the watermelon from oxidizing and browning. It also adds a dose of vitamin C to the salad.; Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Salt and freshly ground black pepper are essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors in the salad. Use sea salt or kosher salt for the best flavor. Freshly ground black pepper has a much more vibrant and aromatic flavor than pre-ground pepper. Season the salad to taste, starting with a pinch of salt and pepper and adding more as needed. Remember that feta is already salty, so you may not need to add too much additional salt. Taste the salad after adding the dressing and adjust the seasoning accordingly. Proper seasoning is key to bringing all the flavors together and making this salad truly delicious.

Ingredients

Watermelon: The star of the show, watermelon provides the sweet, juicy base for this salad. When choosing a watermelon, look for one that feels heavy for its size and has a deep, resonant sound when you thump it. A consistent, yellow ground spot (where the melon rested on the ground) is also a good indicator of ripeness. For this salad, seedless watermelon is the most convenient option, but seeded watermelon works just as well – just be prepared to remove the seeds. The type of watermelon can also influence the flavor profile. Crimson Sweet watermelons offer a classic sweet taste, while Sugar Baby watermelons are known for their intense sweetness and smaller size, perfect for single servings or smaller gatherings. Consider experimenting with different varieties to discover your personal favorite for this salad. Beyond the taste, watermelon is incredibly hydrating, making this salad a perfect choice for hot summer days. It’s packed with vitamins A and C, and also contains antioxidants like lycopene, which is known for its potential health benefits.

Feta Cheese: Feta provides the salty, tangy counterpoint to the watermelon’s sweetness. It’s crucial to use good quality feta for the best flavor. Look for feta that is stored in brine, as this keeps it moist and flavorful. Greek feta, made from sheep’s milk or a mixture of sheep and goat’s milk, is considered the most authentic and has a richer, more complex flavor than feta made from cow’s milk. When selecting feta, consider the texture you prefer. Some feta is crumbly and dry, while others are creamier and smoother. For this salad, a slightly crumbly feta works well, allowing it to distribute evenly and provide bursts of salty flavor throughout. Don’t be tempted to use pre-crumbled feta, as it often lacks flavor and can be dry. Instead, buy a block of feta and crumble it yourself just before adding it to the salad. Feta is also a good source of calcium and protein, adding nutritional value to this refreshing salad.

Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a welcome sharpness and bite to the salad, balancing the sweetness of the watermelon and the saltiness of the feta. Red onion is milder than yellow or white onions and offers a slightly sweet and peppery flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully. When selecting red onion, choose one that is firm and has a vibrant red color. To mellow the sharpness of the red onion and make it even more palatable in the salad, you can soak the thinly sliced onion in ice water for about 10-15 minutes before adding it to the salad. This process helps to reduce the sulfur compounds that cause the onion’s pungent flavor. Alternatively, you can quickly pickle the red onion by tossing it in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt for a few minutes. This adds a slightly sweet and tangy element to the onion, further enhancing its flavor profile in the salad.

Fresh Mint: Fresh mint is the herbaceous element that brings a refreshing coolness to the salad. Its bright, slightly sweet, and minty flavor elevates the entire dish and complements both the watermelon and feta perfectly. Use fresh mint leaves for the best flavor; dried mint is not a suitable substitute in this recipe. Look for mint that is vibrant green and has perky leaves. Avoid mint that is wilted or has brown spots. To prepare the mint, gently pluck the leaves from the stems and roughly chop them. Avoid chopping the mint too finely, as this can bruise the leaves and release bitter flavors. Mint is not only flavorful but also adds a touch of visual appeal to the salad. Its vibrant green color contrasts beautifully with the red watermelon and white feta. Beyond its flavor and visual appeal, mint also has digestive properties and can help to freshen breath, making this salad a refreshing and healthy choice.

Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil is essential for the dressing. It adds richness, flavor, and helps to bind the ingredients together. Extra virgin olive oil has a fruity, slightly peppery flavor that complements the other ingredients in the salad perfectly. When choosing olive oil, look for one that is cold-pressed and has a robust flavor. The quality of the olive oil will significantly impact the overall taste of the salad, so it’s worth investing in a good one. Store your olive oil in a cool, dark place to maintain its quality and flavor. Olive oil is also a source of healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, contributing to the nutritional benefits of this salad.

Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the acidity that brightens the flavors of the salad and balances the sweetness of the watermelon and richness of the olive oil. Fresh lemon juice is far superior to bottled lemon juice in terms of flavor and freshness. When selecting lemons, choose ones that are heavy for their size and have a bright yellow color. To get the most juice out of your lemons, roll them firmly on the countertop before squeezing. Lemon juice not only adds flavor but also helps to prevent the watermelon from oxidizing and browning. It also adds a dose of vitamin C to the salad.

Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Salt and freshly ground black pepper are essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors in the salad. Use sea salt or kosher salt for the best flavor. Freshly ground black pepper has a much more vibrant and aromatic flavor than pre-ground pepper. Season the salad to taste, starting with a pinch of salt and pepper and adding more as needed. Remember that feta is already salty, so you may not need to add too much additional salt. Taste the salad after adding the dressing and adjust the seasoning accordingly. Proper seasoning is key to bringing all the flavors together and making this salad truly delicious.

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Instructions

Prepare the Watermelon: Begin by preparing the watermelon. If using a whole watermelon, cut it in half and then into slices. Remove the rind and cut the watermelon into bite-sized cubes, about 1-inch in size. Aim for uniform cubes for a visually appealing salad and even distribution of flavor. If you prefer, you can use a melon baller to create watermelon balls for a more elegant presentation. Place the cubed watermelon in a large bowl. If using seeded watermelon, make sure to remove all the seeds before cubing. Consider chilling the cubed watermelon in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before assembling the salad. This will enhance the refreshing quality of the salad, especially on a hot day.

Prepare the Red Onion: Next, prepare the red onion. Peel the red onion and cut it in half. Thinly slice one half of the red onion into very thin half-moons. The key is to slice the onion thinly so that it provides a pleasant bite without overpowering the other flavors. As mentioned earlier, to mellow the sharpness of the red onion, you can soak the sliced onion in ice water for 10-15 minutes or quickly pickle it in a vinegar mixture. Drain the red onion thoroughly if you have soaked it in ice water. Add the thinly sliced red onion to the bowl with the cubed watermelon.

Prepare the Feta Cheese: Now, prepare the feta cheese. If you have a block of feta, crumble it into the bowl with the watermelon and red onion. Aim for a coarse crumble, rather than very fine pieces, so that you get satisfying chunks of feta in each bite. Alternatively, you can cube the feta cheese if you prefer a more uniform texture in the salad. Add the crumbled or cubed feta to the bowl.

Prepare the Fresh Mint: Prepare the fresh mint. Rinse the mint leaves under cold water and pat them dry. Pluck the mint leaves from the stems. Roughly chop the mint leaves. Add the chopped fresh mint to the bowl with the other ingredients. Reserve a few whole mint leaves for garnishing the salad, if desired.

Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Whisk until the dressing is emulsified and slightly thickened. Season the dressing with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Start with a pinch of salt and pepper and adjust according to your preference. Remember that feta is already salty, so be mindful of the amount of salt you add. You can also add a pinch of sugar or honey to the dressing to balance the acidity, if desired, but it’s usually not necessary given the sweetness of the watermelon.

Dress and Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the watermelon, feta, red onion, and mint in the large bowl. Gently toss the salad to combine all the ingredients and evenly coat them with the dressing. Be careful not to over-mix the salad, as this can cause the watermelon to break down and become mushy. A gentle toss is all that’s needed to combine everything.

Chill and Serve: For the best flavor and texture, chill the Watermelon Salad with Feta in the refrigerator for at least 15-30 minutes before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together and the salad to become even more refreshing. However, you can serve it immediately if you are short on time. Before serving, give the salad another gentle toss to redistribute the dressing. Garnish the salad with the reserved whole mint leaves, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the burst of refreshing flavors!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 150-200
Sugar: 8-12 grams
Sodium: 200-300 mg
Fat: 10-15 grams
Saturated Fat: 3-5 grams
Carbohydrates: 10-15 grams
Fiber: 1-2 grams
Protein: 5-7 grams