Watermelon and Feta Salad with Mint Pesto
Overview
Are you ready for the best summer salad?!
It’s a bold statement, true, but when the temps get up to 90, idk about you, but I need something light and refreshing. This WATERMELON + FETA salad is everything you need on a hot summers day!
Served on a bed of spicy greens (for instance, arugula or mustard greens) that are lightly dressed in some lemon juice and salt, then topped with arugula microgreens (totally into those lately btw), and a drizzle of mint pesto, this has that refreshing OOMPH you need on a hot summers day.
Serves 4 as a main or 8 as a side/starter
Hi, I’m Jackie, Founder of Jackie Cooks and Drinks, and a BIG believer that cooking, creating and entertaining should be FUN.
Shopping List
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1/2 a mini watermelon, diced into slightly larger than bite sized pieces
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8 ounces of feta cheese, the block kind, diced into bite sized pieces
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16 ounces of spicy greens; I used Lef Farms Spice blend for this
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Juice from 1/2 a lemon
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arugula microgreens, if desired
For the Mint Pesto
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1 cup tightly packed FRESH mint
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1/4 cup FRESH parsley
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2 garlic scapes
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Zest of 1 lime
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Juice of 1 lime
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1 small handful of nuts (about 1/4 cup); pine nuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds all work, optional
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A few tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
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3/4 tsp of Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Method
Make the pesto. In a good processor or blender, place the mint, parsley, garlic scapes, nuts if desired, lime zest, and juice. Start to blend the mix and slowly pour in the olive oil until you reach your desired consistency. I like this smooth so I blended the mixture for about a minute. Add your salt and pepper to taste.
Next, assemble the salad. Toss the spicy greens in the lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Place in the bottom of a large serving bowl. Top the greens with your watermelon and feta pieces, and then microgreens if you want. Drizzle the pesto over the salad, reserving a little more for serving to add more as desired. Enjoy!