This salad recipe really has it all – sweet, cool, crisp, salt and tart. I first worked up this recipe for a back yard luau at a friend’s house, the last week in July in the hottest part of the East Bay. I was searching for something that would make people feel refreshed, intrigued and satisfied too. And, watermelon on the grill smells SO good.

Cook

GRILLED WATERMELON SALAD
Watermelon
Olive Oil
Arugala
Goat Cheese
Raspberry vinaigrette
Salt
Pepper
Balsamic vinegar

Preheat grill or grill pan to medium heat. Cut watermelon into 3”x3”x1” slices and brush with olive oil on both sides. Once grill is hot, grill watermelon slices for two minutes per side or until grill marks and slight carmelization appear. Remove from grill and place watermelon slices in refrigerator to chill until ready to use.

Rinse and dry arugala. Toss arugala with a pinch of fresh cracked black pepper and a little bit of raspberry vinaigrette.

When ready to assemble, place a bed of the dressed arugala on a plate, then top with a slice of grilled watermelon and sprinkle with a few grains of salt. Top with more greens. Finish salad with goat cheese crumbles then drizzle with a bit of balsamic vinegar.

Plant

Arugala had to be the fastest growing thing I planted in the garden this year.  It germinated really quickly and seems to be a really hearty plant.  I can’t wait to harvest some more for this salad.

Meditate

Here is something to think about while you are making your salad: You may have read it in the news already but watermelon is currently being heralded as “nature’s Viagra”.  In addition to that, ancient Romans considered arugala an aphrodesiac.  Mix the two together and this salad may just be the key to a very hot night!

Eat Well!

~Trish