RECIPESJULY 30, 2016

make watermelon your summer staple — with this refreshing salad

Watermelons are an essential part of summer – and about this time of the year, I try to eat my fair share. While delicious by it’s sweet self, I love incorporating it into savory dishes like this salad. The watermelon compliments the peppery arugula and tangy pickled red onions. Topped with fresh mint and crunchy pine nuts, this salad is a perfect blend of colors, textures, and flavors.

The red onions take 10 minutes or so – but is well worth the effort. The extra step takes the bite out of raw onions and adds a complex flavor. While recommended, you can definitely just use raw onions or skip them entirely.

This salad will compliment any summer spread – and would be great alongside grilled fish, chicken, or mushrooms.

Watermelon + arugula salad with red onion, mint + pine nuts

This is a great way to up your greens intake, and perfect for those that shy from vegetables. The almond butter adds creaminess and a protein punch that helps to satisfy until lunch. Be creative and swap different fruit and greens: remember, the darker the green, the more nutritionally dense./h4>

Ingredients For Lemon Vinaigrette:

¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon honey
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
pinch of salt + pepper
½ cup olive oil

Ingredients For Salad:

6 cups baby arugula, washed
3 cups cubed watermelon
1/4 cup quick pickled red onion
¼ cup fresh mint
¼ cup pine nuts, toasted

Procedure:

Prepare the vinaigrette: Whisk together lemon juice, garlic, mustard, honey, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stream in olive oil. Set aside.

In a large bowl, toss the arugula with enough dressing to coat. Arrange on platter. Add watermelon to bowl along with a little more dressing. Gently toss. Arrange watermelon on top of greens. Add red onions, and top with mints and pine nuts.