Watermelon Feta Salad Free Recipe by Kristin Omdahl

Watermelon Feta Salad Free Recipe by Kristin Omdahl

Many years ago, I fell in love with the watermelon feta flavor combination while living in Israel. I was at a bar overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. They served me cubes of feta and watermelon on toothpicks. The sweet, refreshing crunch of watermelon contrasting with the salty, creamy feta was a flavor explosion that I have loved ever since.

I have often combined these two in the same way, but being the salad lover I am, I also enjoy combining feta and watermelon in a salad. This one includes romaine lettuce, diced cucumbers, fresh mint, and a delicious, homemade lime vinaigrette dressing. The recipe is for a double batch of the dressing because I love to have it on hand for other salad, too.

I use two spices in this recipe that I discovered and fell in love with when I lived in the Middle East: Suman and Aleppo Pepper.

The Aleppo pepper has a moderate heat level with some fruitiness and mild, cumin-like undertones. Its flavor is similar to the ancho chile It is fairly mild, with its heat building slowly. It has also been described as having the flavor of “sweetness, roundness and perfume of the best kind of sundried tomatoes, but with a substantial kick behind it.

Sumac is a dried berry ground to produce a tangy, crimson spice popular in many countries. The berries are ground into a reddish-purple powder to add a tart, lemony taste to salads or meat.

The quickest way to chop all these yummy ingredients in both the 1/4 in and 1/2 in dice is with this chopper HERE

This recipe will serve 6 as an appetizer to the main course, or serve 3 people as a main salad course.

What you will need:

• 2 cups cubed watermelon, 1/2 in chopped
• 4 small, persian cucumbers, 1/2 in chopped
• 1 romaine lettuce heart, chopped
• 1 tsp fresh mint, chopped
• 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 limes, juice and zest
• 1/4 red onion, 1/4 in minced
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp sumac
• 1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper
• salt & pepper to taste

What to do:

1. I like to make the dressing first and allow the flavors to develop and mellow out the onions. Combine the lime juice, zest, onion, spices in a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil slowly. Set aside.
2. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle half of the dressing over the top. Gently toss to combine.

Enjoy! xoxo, Kristin

Browse more of Kristin Omdahl free recipes HERE