Watermelon Arugula Feta Salad with Mint

This just might be my favorite salad of all times. Which is a bold statement, considering I eat and love a lot of salads.

If while reading the title of the recipe you felt a slight bit of skepticism, I don’t blame you. The first time I saw this on a menu at my beloved Le Pain Quotidian,  I was a bit hesitant to order it myself. Would the feta and watermelon work together? And with balsamic? I wondered. It seemed like a rather odd mash up of flavors. Luckily, my curiosity over-rid my timidness, and I selected the salad as my lunch entree.

From the first forkful of watermelon and feta together, I couldn’t get enough of the pairing. Watermelon, sweet and lusciousness, physically and literally attracts dry, tangy, crumbly feta, and the two stick together to deliver a wild flavor explosion to the senses. What is extreme in each is balanced beautifully by the other, and the addition of peppery arugula, and a surprise element of fresh mint, add add up to a salad that with each bit leaves you eager for another, desperate for a change to figure out what dance of flavors is going on in your mouth.

Easy to assemble, this is a perfect summer salad for entertaining, even for a hesitant guest. Best made in summer when watermelon is in season, I served this at my sister’s bachelorette brunch this Saturday, but it makes a welcome and bold addition to any summer gathering, or a perfect solo lunch dish.

For the salad (below serves one as an entree; double for four people as a side dish)

• 2 cups arugula
• 3/4 cup watermelon, cubed
• 1/4 cup feta
• handful of fresh mint
• optional: a quarter of a thinly sliced cucumber
• optional: half a sliced heirloom tomato

Getting dressed:

• one part (2-3 tablespoons) extra virgin olive oil
• one part balsamic
• salt and peper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine arugula and watermelon cubes. Crumble feta over the two.
2. Chop fresh mint, mix.
3. If adding cucumber and tomato, chop and add to salad.
4. Mix olive oil and balsamic in small separate bowl. Pour over salad.
5. Add salt and cracked pepper to taste.
6. Go to flavor heaven.

Simple as that. Serve among chewy fresh bread and enjoy what is to be your favorite summer dish.

xoxo,

-KBakes