Woohoo it’s FRIDAY!!!!
Happy Friday to you my Friends! Today’s recipe is one that I have had in the back of my mind for a few weeks. Every time I attempt to make this salad one of the ingredients are missing, meaning I ate it! But not today, I finally made the salad I have been wanting to make. This is my end of the summer Watermelon, Tomato and Goat Cheese Salad! Wow, that’s a long title.
This salad is refreshing, easy to make, low calorie and majorly delicious!! I served this salad with dinner the other night and I simply loved it. But what was shocking is my Husband actually said without asking, this salad is really good! Needless to say we both ate the whole thing for dinner!! This salad is a perfect side dish or perfect for taking to a picnic. I think it would be a hit with everyone!! It’s sweet and savory and creamy from the goat cheese. Plus it’s served in a cute in the bowl!!
The salad is filled with watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh mint leaves and topped with just a drizzle of balsamic dressing and goat cheese. Mmmmmm, mmmmmm I am soooooo making this again!! The watermelon is so sweet this time of year. Be sure to get your watermelon before the season ends. Plus to boot I used fresh little cherry tomatoes that I got from my CSA box this week. I love the smell of fresh tomatoes. Love it!!! Plus the cucumber adds a nice fresh taste and the mint, oh the mint, it adds a little pizzazz! I drizzled some balsamic dressing on top to give it a savory flavor and topped it with goat cheese. I know most watermelon salads have feta cheese, but I love goat cheese, it makes everything a little more creamy!
I decided for something different to hollow out my watermelon and use it as a bowl. It makes it more fun to eat, plus it really holds in the flavor. I recommend doing that! If your watermelon is a little wobbly, just give it a small slice off the bottom to make it more sturdy. I just spooned out the watermelon and reserved some for lunch and used two cups of it for this salad. Of course if you have a big melon you can just make a bigger salad. It’s so easy, that measurements really don’t matter in this kind of salad. Plus no matter what ingredients you like the most, it’s all healthy and low calorie!!
- 2 cups watermelon, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 cup cucumber, peeled, diced
- 1 tbsp. goat cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp. mint leaves, sliced thin
- 1 tbsp. balsamic dressing (your favorite)
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- Using a small watermelon, approx 8 lbs., cut in half, the short way (width side). Reserve half of the watermelon for another use. On the remaining half of watermelon, spoon out the inside, making a hollow bowl. Cut the spooned out watermelon into bite size pieces, about 1" square. Turn the hollowed watermelon bowl upside down to drain; set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, add the diced watermelon, tomatoes and cucumber; carefully mix until combined. Add mint, balsamic dressing, salt and pepper. Mix until combined. Add mixture to the watermelon bowl. Top with goat cheese.
I just love salads like this, so easy and so light! I almost didn’t make it because I was pretty lazy when I came home from work, but I forced myself to make dinner and I am glad I did because I would have missed out, yet again on this fabulous summer salad! Why do I have to be so lazy? I have a bazillion recipes that I want to make, yet, I just don’t feel like making anything. I am sure you understand how I feel. One day, I will get someone to make me dinner. Oh wouldn’t that be so nice? Your perfect meal served to you! That doesn’t happen in my house, unless I want hot dogs! Just hot dogs, no sides, just plain old hot dogs. I’ll pass and cook dinner myself! 🙂
I have a cute quick story to tell you before I go. The other day my dog, Sampson, you know the one, the little tough guy that doesn’t take any crap? Who barks at everyone and drives you crazy until he gets his way? Well the other day he was outside and I heard him whining like a baby. I went up to him and I saw something large and black on his nose. I panicked because my first thought was a black widow! He was rubbing his head on the ground, and trying to hit his nose with his paw. When I ran over to him, I saw, get this, a black beetle the size of his whole nose! How the heck does a beetle get on his nose? And why is it so big? He managed to get it off before I could swat it. I stepped on it and he ran and laid down. My girl Samantha went up to the smushed beetle and tried to eat it. She is always trying to eat bugs, she’s a weird girl. Needless to say my boy was good the rest of the night. I wonder where he had his nose in order for this ugly black beetle to get on it? I know it’s probably more funny being there, then reading about it, but ahhh, you should of seen him, he actually cried like a baby. He didn’t have any marks on his nose, so it most have scared him. lol Ok, I’m done with my story! Sorry I just had to share.
Have a wonderful weekend! Now make sure you get out there and enjoy the outside while you can. Sooner than you know it, winter will be here and that I am not looking forwarded too!!
Have a great day!
Toodles,
Jennifer
