Thursday, May 28, 2015

Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint



Happy Day before Friday! How is your week going? Summer is heating up around here, and both my husband and I are starting to crave salads. One thing, I've been wanting to do for a while now, is to cook and prepare a weeks worth of meals on a Sunday, but haven't been able to get organized enough. lately to accomplish this. Something I am working towards. In the mean time, Lindsay has made two requests for me this week, one buy a watermelon, and two make stuffed peppers. So, I'm skipping on posting something sweet this week! I love the sweet, spicy, salty combination of this salad. In one bite you get a refreshingly sweet, and juicy bite of watermelon, with the creamy and salty feta cheese, and the heat from the Sriracha to balance this salad all out!

As it happens, I already have most of the ingredients on hand for a watermelon salad, except for the watermelon and the mint. The inspiration for this salad comes from one of my most beloved chefs Jacques Pépin. When I was younger, I would  watch his cooking show on PBS, late at night, after work, between reruns of MASH or Diagnosis Murder. It's the simple way he takes fresh ingredients and turns them into something extra ordinary, that amazes me. Two of my favorite recipes from him, include Strawberry Buttermilk Shortcake and his recipe for Roast Chicken.

With this recipe I tweaked a few things, one I just cut my watermelon up; he melon balled his, and he used Tabasco, I used Sriracha, or I would use Cholula hot sauce. You could also choose not to use hot sauce all together, if you don't like the spiciness. Another one of my strange food habits is, putting hot sauce of salsa, just about on everything, even my pizza. I know, I know, I'm odd. Please don't judge me! For me, the hot sauce enhances the flavor of the food, and seems to compliment the flavor of the mint. Believe you me, a little hot sauce goes a long way! Oh, and another ingredient, I didn't use were the Kalamata olives, for me the Feta cheese is salty enough, instead I actually wanted a little more sweetness, so I added some Mint simple syrup.


On a hot Summer day, this is a perfect salad to serve at picnics and barbeques! If you don't like Feta cheese you could substitute it for goat cheese, and for the Sriracha you could even substitute it for fresh chilis; serranos or jalepenos!Oh and before I forget the Mint, it really does cool the heat off from the Siraracha, and refreshes your mouth for another bite of this seriously mouth watering salad!


Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint
1 small seedless watermelon, about 3 pounds, peeled, and either cubed or balled
2 Tbls. Mint simple syrup
2 Tbls. Sriracha hot sauce
4 Tbls. Apple cider vinegar
2 Tbls. freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 Tbls. olive oil
1/2 cup mint leaves
Salt and Pepper to taste
6 oz. feta cheese crumbled
Mint leaves for garnish
1.In food processor, combine mint syrup, Sriracha, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil and mint leaves.
2. In bowls, add watermelon, top with cheese, and drizzle Mint/Sriracha vinaigrette.
3. Garnish with Mint leaves, season with salt and pepper!

For the mint simple syrup, take 1 cup of mint leaves chopped, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Return to low, and simmer 3 minutes, until sugar is dissolved. Strain. Seal in a bottle, and refrigerate. Store for two weeks!
Hope you have a lovely and relaxing weekend!
Until next time!
xo Christine

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21 comments:

  1. I love watermelon and I love spicy, but I never had the two together. What a neat combination - I must try this ;-)
    LL

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  2. I've never had spicy watermelon either, but it seems like something we would like! We aren't olive people, so that omission suits us. We will have to try this!

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  3. I never would have thought of such a salad... or using watermelon in any salad... but this looks really good. :)

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  4. Christine, this looks delicious and refreshing for summer. It looks too pretty to eat...LOL! I love watermelon and will definitely try this recipe. And, as usual, great photos!!

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  5. This looks and sounds delicious. Sounds very savory,

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  6. This looks amazing! Thanks so much for the recipe. I can't wait to try it. Hugs for a happy weekend, coco

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  7. There that Sriracha sauce, in a salad with watermelon, sounds delicious!
    Have a great weekend Christine!
    Karren
    xoxo

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  8. I have never tried watermelon in a salad. This looks yummy. Thanks so much for linking up this week at #HomeMattersParty. Can't wait to see what you link up next week.

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  9. Wow, what a combination!
    xx
    Mila

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  10. I would have never considered this combination, but it looks very refreshing.Thanks for co-hosting OMHG Wordless Wednesday with me.

    Shellie
    www.thefabjourney.com

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  11. I just love a Watermelon Salad and this looks wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday, I just pinned this recipe it looks so good! Hope you are having a great week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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  12. Feta & watermelon is a great combo! I love the addition of the hot sauce Thanks for sharing this with us & co-hosting WW.

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  13. Christine, this looks delicious and so refreshing! Lovely combination. My pleasure c-hosting with you this week!! Have a great day, Evija xx

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  14. Looks very refreshing. I would never have put these together. I was in the grocery store a couple of days ago and I saw some feta and I was wondering what I could make with it. It's a pleasure to co-host with you this week.
    Pamela

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  15. This sounds like a salad my husband would love, I'd probably find it a bit spicy, but do love watermelon salads
    Lupin Girl x

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  16. Your watermelon salad looks so refreshing and good. Thank you for joining us at Foodie Friday!

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  17. This salad looks so awesome. Anything made with watermelon is great as far as I'm concerned. Pinned, tweeted, and stumbled! Thanks for linking up and sharing with us at Funtastic Friday. Hope you join us again this week.

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  18. it looks yuum..never try watermelon with cheese but definitely love to try :)

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  19. What an interesting recipe! Thank you for stopping by Pin Worthy Wednesday!

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  20. I absolutely love this! Thanks for sharing it with us. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. We can’t wait to party with you! Lou Lou Girls

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