Watermelon Feta and Mint Salad

Okay, so a few weeks ago, I had some friends over for dinner.  It was a really hot summers eve and all I felt like making were some nice cold salads.  I did make ribs too but that was the only thing I cooked.  Anyways, I saw a picture in a magazine of a watermelon salad.  I could not get this salad out of my mind so I decided to make it that night.  I am so glad I did.  While the ingredients may seem bizarre or that they might clash in some way, nothing could be further from the truth.  It is hard to describe the flavor, you just need to experience it yourself, I will say the words that come to mind are:  refreshing, flavorful, thought provoking, so unbelievably good that you wonder why we have not combined all these delicious flavors sooner.  My friends were equally shocked at how amazing this salad tasted.  So my faithful readers.  Here is ‘Watermelon Salad’.

Ingredients:

• 1 seedless watermelon, sweet and delicious
• 3 ounces (or more depending on what you like) feta cheese, a nice creamy one
• 1 cup of fresh mint
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar-very good quality
• black pepper if you like pepper

Directions: Cut watermelon in half and remove watermelon from rind.  You can either spoon it out like a mad man, carefully remove it and cut it into squares, or scoop it all out with a melon baller-which is what I did.  I liked the look of all those succelent balls of watermelon.

So, scoop out your watermelon and put it in a bowl-I used the leftover water melon rind for my bowl, and you’re going to add your dressing, which is so simple, soooo easy.

Make the Salad Dressing:  Add your oil, and vinegar.  No salt necessary as the feta is salty.
Mix this all together and chill for 15 minutes, which will give you time to prep your mint.

Chiffanade the mint, which means cut it into fine ribbons. Roll up the mint leaves like a cigar and then cut it into nice strips or ribbons. I had my daughter and her friend do this for me; they are 10 so you can see how easy this is.

Next crumble over with that delicious creamy feta cheese. The salty contrast with the sweet melon is so crazy good that it is hard to describe.

To finish add the fresh mint, which brings it all together. And a little more black pepper at the end so there’s a little on the feta.

Oh, and make sure you drink the watermelon juice at the end!!

adapted from a recipe by: Chef John Mitzewich

Technorati Tags: best watermelon salad, watermelon feta and mint salad, watermelon salad

7 Responses to “Watermelon Feta and Mint Salad”

1. Blair@FaveDiets says:

   May 26, 2011 at 7:27 am

   What a beautiful and creative salad! We’re doing a blog hop today all about deli salads if you want to hop: http://www.favedietsblog.com/the-healthy-hop-may-edition/
   Thanks!
   Blair
2. The Coolest Watermelon Recipes You’ve Ever Seen | Yummly says:

   June 21, 2011 at 9:31 am

   [...] Watermelon Feta and Mint Salad (from Cook Eat Love) [...]
3. Carolina says:

   August 8, 2011 at 1:23 pm

   I tried this salad in a party, and I had to get the recipe no matter wath…my good friend who was hosting referred me to your site. I have to say that is just delicious.
4. Mary says:

   November 10, 2011 at 6:54 pm

   Had a potluck for our Gem & Mineral Club and I made this. Was gone instantly. and so easy to make.
5. Billie-Jean says:

   November 11, 2011 at 6:15 am

   Sooo glad to hear it.
6. stacey says:

   December 14, 2011 at 8:38 pm

   Could you use balsamic vinagerete dressing which already has the olive oil in it?
7. Billie-Jean says:

   January 4, 2012 at 12:37 pm

   yes, definitely!!