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Watermelon is simply just one of the best things to enjoy in the summer!
There is nothing quite like biting into sweet, cold, juicy watermelons! As a child I remember my father taking us to nearby produce stands where there were huge tin water troughs filled with ice and watermelon. Wow, just like a cold beer in a ice-filled beer tub! I pity anyone who lacks a memory of eating a slice of ice cold watermelon . . . simple with nothing added! Yea, now that’s summer eaten’!
However, for a recent gathering with friends, I prepared a heavenly watermelon with goat cheese salad, a sweet and savory combination that is so delicious you may not stop eating it! I know that this combo sounds really weird, but all of the different textures and flavors combine perfectly and the balsamico vinegar lends a nice kick to smack those taste buds of yours!
A day or two ahead, marinate your goat or feta cheese (I use goat cheese because I find it more mild and so it soaks up all the herbs and olive oil more genuinely; plus my husband hates feta cheese . . . remember he’s still “Mr. Meat and Potatoes”). . . I mean after all . . . feta? Nothing but cheddar or mozzarella cheese for my guy! Yet reluctantly and surpisingly he enjoyed his one bite of this salad and then proceeded to cut that tried-and-true slice of watermelon to enjoy while I noshed on this salad.
This is superb and I highly recommend this incredible watermelon salad!
And as with all recipes, to achieve mouth-watering results, please remember to use quality ingredients: extra virgin olive oil instead of regular olive oil (unless specified), freshly ground black pepper instead of already ground pepper, freshly ground sea salt instead of regular salt, etc.
It really makes a difference in the end-resulting flavors and final dish. You’ll be so glad that you did!
Watermelon Salad with Herb Marinated Goat Cheese Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- Fresh watermelon cut into 1 - 2" cubes
- 1 small roll of goat cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp. fresh herbs, finely chopped (basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary)
- 3 tsp. red chili pepper flakes
- 2 Tbsp. minced garlic
- 1/4 cup of fresh basil, broken into pieces by hand
- Balsamico vinegar -- to drizzle on salad
Instructions
- Prepare the marinaded goat/feta cheese at least 2 hours earlier than serving the salad.
- In a clean glass jar, pour the oil into it.
- Add the chopped feta/goat cheese.
- Add all chopped fresh herbs.
- Add red pepper flakes and minced garlic.
- Gently, very gently swish the cheese cubes around in the marinade.
- Place in the frig to chill for 2 hours.
- Just before serving, cut watermelon into cubes.
- Sprinkle the marinaded cheese cubes over the watermelon cubes.
- Drizzle with balsamico vinegar or pass it around to guests.
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They’ve got baby watermelons on sale here. I’m making this tomorrow as soon as I get some goat cheese at Costco. I’m out of feta, too.
Have you ever made homemade “pepperoni”??
I’m going to try this recipe next week.
http://www.tammysrecipes.com/tammys_spicy_pepperoni
Hubby has out-of-town students coming for intensive lesson sessions this weekend and I thought it might be a bit rude to have this in the oven for 8 hours while they’re here. heh
feta and watermelon are perfect together. the salad looks gorgeous and amazing
Oh yes, watermelon and feta..they are definitely perfect together!
Oh Roz, this is one of my favorite summer time salads! Its sweet and savory combination is so good.
Watermelon is very refreshing –I can’t get enough of it this time of the year!
Do you think this would be good with mozzarella as well? IF so, I am for sure making this!! anne
This looks delicious – makes me feel very summery just looking at it! Pity the weather here in Scotland isn’t the same
Oh my stars, it look so good and perfect for these hot days!
I love your photos. This recipe is a keeper. YUM!
I’ve never tried mixing watermelon with feta, but so many people rave about it, and your photos look so enticing. I’ve got the feta, now I’m off to get some watermelon.
Oh Adrienne, you’ve got to try this salad; I hope and think that you’ll enjoy! It’s so surprising!
Jessica, you’re right . . . who would have thought?
Angie, I’m a slow learner and needed to find out first hand how delicious this pair is!
Pat, I don’t know why I never have heard of this combo before, but I am so glad that I’ve finally discovered it!
Annie, I think that mozzarella would do fine, especially for those palettes (such as my husband) who prefer more mild flavored cheeses! Please let me know what you think!
Hey there Cakeboi! So glad that you joined in the chat here! Scotland is my kind of place right now; we’re boiling and I need some cool temps! Enjoy Scotland, a place that hubbie and I dream of visiting someday!
Bella, you’re spot on . . . it IS perfect for these hot days and NO heat-oriented cooking is involved at ALL! WOW!
thank you Ellen; I am honored by your super compliment! I agree, it’s a keeper!
LInda, oh my gosh, you’ve SO got to try this; I was hesitant to try also . . . . until I added the balsamico and I just went to heaven!
Why is it everytime I read one of your blog posts Roz, I’m left drooling? Honestly! LOL This looks so good and right up my alley.
Anne xx
Roz, this looks fabulous!!! We’re having such a hot, dry summer… a cool and delicious salad would hit the spot! Beautiful, too.
I love how you changed this salad up with goat cheese instead of the usual feta. Delicious and utterly addictive! It truly is one of summer’s best!
Anne, I leave your blog the exact same way! Very hungry!
Lizzy, you’d love this with your incredible taste! I hope that you get some rain soon in the Midwest!!!!
Joanne, thanks so much, you’re one incredible foodie who continues to inspire me!
I can’t appreciate the beauty, taste and texture of watermelons. Every bite makes me gush. This is indeed a great salad, Roz.
Adora, gush away with this salad! It’s gush-worthy indeed!
I am making this tonight! I just bought a watermelon yesterday – hope it’s a sweet one. SOunds delicious and refreshing.
WoW! Roz…this looks so good. The most refreshing summer salad! You have such a cool farmers market, too! Great pictures! And I’m going to try this over the weekend! : )
This is such a refreshing salad for these “dog days of summer”. I like the fact that the feta is marinated prior too.
I can just imagine this flavor combo! What would we do without balsamic!
So summery! That salad must taste wonderful. I love that tasty dressing/marinade!
Cheers,
Rosa
We have not had much watermelon yet this year, I like the idea of eating it with the cheese.
It’s definitely not watermelon season in Australia but I could cheerfully pay extra food miles to try this salad this weekend. 🙂
Hi – I linked this recipe to a post about Caprese Salad on The Orange Bee. I haven’t posted yet but will on Monday if not before. Hope you don’t mind…My salad is a bit different from yours and the other two I linked up. All delicious for sure!
Val, I enjoyed I too ( mrarinate)!
Hey Limdy, you
do get some, ya gotta try it!
Maureen , you must really, really enjoy
watermelon yo do that!!!
Thanks Linda, I’ll stop by and check it out on MOnday! Be well, Roz
Looks so refreshing, can’t wait to try it! …Susan
Looks delicious! Great photos too – love the colour.
Hi Roz 🙂
Based on your delicious watermelon salad photos, we’d like to invite you to submit your food photos on a Food Photography site so our readers can enjoy your creations.
It is absolutely free and fun to make others hungry!
Nothing beats a good summer watermelon, this salad looks wonderful! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!