| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 230 | 11g | 5g | 30g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 20g | 2g | 7g | 0.3g |
Today, let me take you on a delightful gastronomic journey with my Watermelon Feta Salad. A recipe that checks all boxes – it’s light, refreshing, simple to toss together and filled with a burst of flavors that will leave your palate rejuvenated. Not to mention, the health benefits that are an added perk.
Connecting with my Culinary Roots
Having been deeply influenced by my Italian grandparents, my cooking style has been largely centered around hearty, traditional Italian-American recipes. But every once in a while, I love deviating from the usual and experimenting with different flavors, textures, and ingredients that may not necessarily be an integral part of my traditional repertoire.
Coming up with the Watermelon Feta Salad was one such delightful detour. It’s a summer favorite, an absolute crowd-pleaser that combines the natural sweetness and crunch of watermelon, the tang of feta, and the freshness of mint leaves to create something truly unique and unexpected.
Culinary Adventures Hyphenated with Health Benefits
The bonus? This not just any regular salad. It won’t just satiate your cravings, it will also serve as a nutritious treat. Watermelon, the star fruit of this recipe here, is known for its high water content which aids in hydration. It is also packed with Vitamins A and C and is rich in antioxidants. Cucumbers are a good source of fiber while feta cheese provides much-needed protein. The Extra Virgin Olive oil drizzled generously lends heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
Beyond being extremely good for your nutritional health, this salad is so beautifully vibrant and colorful that it’s sure to lift your spirits instantly! Serve it as a standalone dish on a hot summer’s day or pair it with chicken or fish dishes for a more comprehensive meal. This salad is a reminiscent of a similar traditional Greek recipe, the Tomato Feta Salad, just with a refreshing, fruity twist.
Hey, I just may experiment with dessert next. Any guesses what that added ingredient could be? Until next time, here’s to interesting culinary adventures and wholesome meals.
What You’ll Need
- 1 medium-sized watermelon, cut into cubes (around 8 cups)
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 1 large cucumber, deseeded and diced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Method
Step One
Start by preparing all your ingredients. Cut the watermelon into cubes, deseed and dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and finely chop the fresh mint leaves. Crumble your feta cheese and set all ingredients aside.
Step Two
Place the diced watermelon and cucumber in a large salad bowl. Additionally, add your sliced red onions to the mix.
Step Three
Next, scatter the crumbled feta cheese over the top of the watermelon, cucumber, and red onion. Make sure to distribute the cheese evenly to ensure every bite has a bit of feta in it.
Step Four
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing. Then, drizzle the dressing over the salad.
Step Five
Now sprinkle the chopped mint leaves over the salad, imparting a fresh flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the watermelon and the tanginess of the feta.
Step Six
Give the salad a gentle toss to ensure all the ingredients are well combined and coated in the dressing. Your Watermelon Feta Salad is now ready to serve! Enjoy it as a fresh, light side dish or a meal on its own.
