Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Watermelon And Lettuce Salad

I was browsing through some of Ina Garten's recipes and instead of making more cakes and bakes, I decided to try one of her salad recipes. Salad is not something that we eat as often as our Western friends do. We do eat veggies everyday, mostly in quick stir-fry dishes as part of a main meal, and we do have our own local-style salads. Salads like the one below are often made during parties or get-together, or maybe as a side when we have Western meals at home. 


This is a simple salad from Ina Garten that only have two main ingredients, the watermelon and arugula. I replace the arugula with butterhead lettuce. Ina used Parmesan Cheese, and I used Cheddar cheese, which I think, any cheese will do. We love salad, I'm lucky that both my kids love veggies ever since they are toddlers and they are not picky in most veggies that I've cooked. They love salads like this where they are lots of fresh green veggies.


Of course the star of this bowl of salad are the watermelons, everyone's favourite! Juicy and sweet! 


A nice salad with a light dressing, which I added 2 tablespoons of honey. Keep the watermelon and lettuce in the refrigerator to cool. When it's time to serve, simply drizzle dressing over, garnish with shredded cheese and serve. Lovely when the watermelon is cold!




I'm submiting this post to "Cook Like A Star" where the celebrity star for the month of May is Ina Garten, hosted by my baking buddy Zoe from Bake For Happy Kids. Are you a fan of Ina Garten or have always wanted to try one her recipes, you can do that during the whole month of May and simply link to "Cook Like A Star", for more details, please visit Zoe.




Watermelon and Arugula Salad
(source from : foodnetwork.com, Ina Garten)
Ingredients
1/2 pound baby arugula leaves
2 pounds seedless watermelon, 3/4-inch-diced (3 pounds with the rind)
1/3 cup good olive oil
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound chunk Parmesan cheese 
2 tbsp honey (my addition)


Place the arugula and watermelon in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pour enough dressing on the arugula to moisten. Toss well and place on 6 salad plates.

With a very sharp knife or a vegetable peeler, shave the Parmesan into large shards and sprinkle them on the arugula and watermelon. Sprinkle with salt and serve.


8 comments:

  1. This Wattermelon and Lettuce salad is so nice. I can eat the whole bowl without feeling guilty.

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  2. so refreshing & healthy! more watermelon more nice eh..esp in the super hot weather now!!

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  3. Good morning, Joyce:) What a delightful salad to wake up to this morning. It's going to be one of those sticky, muggy days today and your salad is just the refresher I crave.

    I'm not much of a food TV fan but Ina is one of those people that you just can't help enjoying on the television. Thanks so much for sharing. If you don't mind, I'll also be saving this recipe for Watermelon Month in July:)

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  4. We here in southern europe, eat huge dishes salad, main course or as a side dish at meal times.
    Often joined the masses vegetables.
    I really enjoyed your suggestion, is healthy and delicious.
    Hugs from Portugal :)

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  5. LOL! I laughed at your comment saying we should eat my meatballs and your salad together. If we meet, we should do that :D

    Lucky you that your kids are not picky with their veggies... I hate feeding picky eaters and feel that it will be such a shame for the picky eaters to miss out such a beautiful salad dish like this.

    Love the addition of watermelon in your salad. Sounds very refreshing :D

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  6. Joyce, Ina's recipe never failed. This watermelon salad was in my list too...but I'm not sure what arugula means...hehehe.

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  7. you're right, we dont eat as much salad as our western friends..even if i do, also not very presentable one..just greens..so boring..feel like a cow. With watermelons is something so different! sweet and juicy and i think your addition of honey makes it even better!

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  8. I love watermelon in salad. This would taste great with some nice feta cheese as well.

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