WATERMELON AND FETA SUMMER SALAD

Hollye Jacobs in her adorable radish dress holding our yummy salad.

Crumbling the feta and measuring the honey to add to the lime juice.

photography Blue Caleel

When I create a recipe, I only have one goal in mind: that it be delicious. That's it. So it is always an amazingly pleasant surprise to find out that the recipe I made to taste good also has a myriad of health benefits as well.  Hollye Jacobs wrote a about all the amazing health benefits of this salad in her post.  If you thought watermelon had no nutritional value because it is packed with water, think again.  It's a powerhouse for the immune system, as well as being the ideal diet food because it is low in calories and packed with benefits.  It is also good to eat after exercising. Read Hollye's post to get the full scoop.

I first tasted this yummy combination at Tina Grunzweig's house, and immediately created the Watermelon Cubes with Feta, Mint and Passionfruit.  That is a fantastic recipe, and perfect for parties and events, but it is a little labor intensive for the home cook who is looking for something quick, easy, and delicious to make any day of the week.  This is quick and simple to throw together, and it is perfect for a summer BBQ, yet elegant enough to have as a first course at a lovely lunch.  

WATERMELON & FETA SUMMER SALAD

The watermelon can be cut in chunks up to a day in advance; just keep refrigerated in an airtight container.  The rest of the ingredients should only be added just before service so that they stay crisp and delicious. 

1 medium-sized seedless watermelon (or 2 mini-seedless watermelons)

10.5 ounces of firm Feta Cheese (we love the Sheep's milk version from Trader Joe's)

Juice from two limes

3 tablespoons of honey

a heaping handful of mint leaves

Optional:  Chili Pepper (as in 100% chile pepper, NOT Chili Powder that is often a blend with cumin, dried onion, and other stuff.  You don't want that!)

Cut the watermelon into 1-inch chunks, and place them in a large bowl.  Crumble the feta over the watermelon, then add the mint and stir gently.  (You don't want to over-stir the feta because it can get "muddy.")

Combine the honey and the lime juice, and drizzle over the top of the of the salad.  Serve immediately!

Note:  you can have the chili pepper as an optional ingredient next to the salad for those that might want a little heat.  Or, if you know all of your guests like a little heat, then sprinkle it over the entire salad.

Enjoy!  Maili