Watermelon-Cucumber Summer Salad

 

Nicole here again, getting a remote cooking demo in this week for my lovely colleagues to welcome the onset of summer with this simple salad stunner! Nothing says summer like the bright freshness of watermelon and the fragrance of basil. The peppery notes of the arugula contrast the crisp freshness of the watermelon, creating a lovely balance that is heightened by the saltiness of the feta cheese. 

A lovely meal on its own or featured with shrimp or chicken kabobs. 

This ensemble is a refreshing way to celebrate the first official day of summer! 

Alcohol Pairing: 

Wine: Ontario Rose (Sandbanks) for something sweeter try a Pink Moscato (Banrock)          

Beer: Radler (Lost Craft Fresh Cucumber Mint) for something sweeter try a Stiegl (Raspberry Radler)

Yields: 4 servings

What you Need:

4 cups arugula 

6 cups watermelon, cubed (seedless if possible)

½ English cucumber, thinly sliced

3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

10-12 basil leaves

½ cup olive oil

3 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar

1 tsp. dijon mustard (with/without seeds)

1 tbsp. honey

¼ tsp. salt

2 tsp. poppy seeds

How to Make it Happen:

1. Begin by preparing the poppy seed vinaigrette by combining the olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard and honey. Use a whisk to blend the ingredients together. Add the salt and poppy seeds into the vinaigrette dressing. 

   

    Whisk the olive oil, honey, dijon mustard & vinegar together 
   
   

2. Set aside the salad dressing to assemble the salad, starting with the first layer of arugula.

   

   Start with the first layer of arugula

   
   
3. Next, add the sliced cucumbers and cubed watermelon to the arugula, sprinkling the crumbled feta cheese over top of all ingredients. 

   

   Next, add the cucumber 

   
   

   

   Add the watermelon over the cucumber & arugula

   
   
4. Stack the fresh basil leaves together and roll them up tightly, slicing the basil into thin vertical ribbons.

   
   

   Stack the fresh basil leaves together and roll them up tightly
   

   
   

   

   Slice the basil into thin, vertical ribbons

   
   5. Drizzle the poppy seed vinaigrette onto the arugula, cucumber, watermelon and feta cheese salad. Sprinkle with sliced basil ribbons. 
   

   

   Drizzle poppy seed vinaigrette and basil ribbons onto the salad

   
   

*Recipe adapted from the Modern Proper website:https://themodernproper.com/watermelon-cucumber-salad*