Description
Refreshing michael symon watermelon salad combines crisp watermelon with tangy feta and zesty herbs for summer’s perfect side dish. Guests will savor light flavors and cool textures that make this salad an instant crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups watermelon (red seedless, large diced)
- ½ cup feta cheese (Greek, crumbled)
- 6–9 tbsps (90–135 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsps (45 mL) red wine vinegar
- ½ cup cucumber (English, diced)
- ¼ cup mint (fresh, finely torn or chopped)
- ¼ cup scallions (finely sliced)
- 1 small Fresno chile or jalapeno pepper (seeded and minced)
- 1 clove garlic (minced or grated)
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Dressing Preparation: Combine Fresno peppers, olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and fresh mint leaves in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Marinade Blending: Vigorously shake the jar to thoroughly incorporate all dressing ingredients, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Salad Assembly: In a large mixing bowl, gently fold together diced watermelon, thinly sliced cucumber, and finely chopped scallions, creating a vibrant and textured base.
- Dressing Application: Drizzle the prepared marinade over the salad, carefully tossing to ensure even distribution without damaging the delicate watermelon pieces.
- Finishing Touches: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese across the surface, then refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to amplify the salad’s cooling essence. Optional: Garnish with additional mint leaves before serving for an extra burst of freshness.
Notes
- Infuse Dressing Deeply: Shake the jar vigorously to blend ingredients thoroughly, allowing Fresno peppers and mint to release maximum flavor into the olive oil and vinegar mixture.
- Handle Watermelon Gently: Toss salad ingredients delicately to prevent crushing the tender watermelon chunks, maintaining their crisp texture and fresh appearance.
- Optimize Flavor Melding: Let the dressing sit for 10-15 minutes before mixing with salad to allow pepper and herb essences to develop a more complex, balanced taste profile.
- Enhance Serving Presentation: Chill the salad briefly before serving to heighten its refreshing qualities and ensure ingredients are perfectly crisp and cool.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg