"The only real stumbling block is the fear of failure. In cooking, you have got to have a what-the-hell attitude." ~ Julia Child

A midsummer’s night dream: Watermelon and feta salad

by Julie Tilsner on July 29, 2009

in Green Goddess, Lunch, Vegetarian

Watermelon-salad  So we’re eating my $7 Israeli feta, Virginia and I, pinching pieces straight off the block, and she suddenly looks at me and asks, have you ever tried this with watermelon?

Feta cheese and watermelon? Well, no, I tell her. But I haven’t tried clam juice with my shampoo, either. Feta and watermelon? Surely this is the jetlag talking; she’s just dazed from her 20-journey from Sidney, Australia and isn’t talking sense. But no, she insists. Watermelon and feta salad. It’s delicious.

And then, sitting in my kitchen swaying slightly from exhaustion, she goes on to relate the recipe. She’s a longtime restaurant worker and caterer. She knows food. I realize a good thing when I hear it, and I dutifully write it down.

I haven’t tried this yet, but it sounds divine. It also sounds like something that in my hands could come out toxic. You try it instead, and let me know how it comes out.

Watermelon, cut into triangles. How much watermelon? Virge just shrugs.
some chopped walnuts.
a small amount of thinly-sliced red onion.
chopped fresh mint (or parsely. Mint sounds better to me.)
Feta, crumbled.
Fresh lemon vinagrette all over this and some salt and pepper.
If it needs something more, a dash of red wine vinegar.

Toss, maybe? I dunno, I didn’t get this detail.

Oh heck, here’s a more detailed description from Epicurious…chickens.

If you’re a better cook than me — and chances are good that you are — give this a shot. Doesn’t it sound like the perfect midsummer’s night snack?

Go! And let me know what you think.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

nicola July 30, 2009 at 2:14 am

They used to serve this as a side at my work canteen back in the UK. It was always very popular. We had good caterers.

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mina July 30, 2009 at 4:30 am

i’ve had it before (but maybe with feta that was a bit cheaper…) and i can vouch for its easy deliciousness. and ease. did i mention it’s easy? (:

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Susan July 30, 2009 at 7:50 am

I had this before at a party and it is really good. I always meant to try it myself. You have inspired me to take the plunge!

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fioricet August 3, 2009 at 1:27 am

Very nice, Easy to prefer.. and I must agree its perfect for party..

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Progeria April 25, 2011 at 12:23 am

Being an outsider who doesn’t know much about western food, I was amazed trying this in one of my friend’s party. I was pleading my friend to tell what it was and how it was made. He kept saying it was a secret. Guess it’s not a secret after all. In your face Monty…lol. Thanks for the recipe, seems very easy and wonderful to eat.

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Anne Anson July 13, 2013 at 9:46 am

I tried t his recipe recently.. Not your average salad.. delicious, but my recipe was far too detailed. and then I bought a hunk of feta at a nearby market.. It wasn’t that good.. I know the difference but this feta was dry.. virtually without moisture.. the good stuff comes in a small vat of “feta juice”. and isn’t hard or dry at all and when I have it.. I eat it right out of the vat. Lucky for me I’m the only one who likes it all that much.
Make the recipe anyway at all.. but use sweet melon,nice onion, and most of all very fresh feta…a little mint is fine.. but it;s not as important as the other ingredients.

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