Marinated Watermelon Salad with Whipped Feta Dip
Experience the delightful fusion of flavors with this Marinated Watermelon Salad with Whipped Feta Dip. Perfect for summer gatherings, this refreshing salad combines the sweet juiciness of watermelon with a savory marinade, creating a unique appetizer that dazzles the palate. The creamy whipped feta dip adds an indulgent touch, making it versatile enough to serve at picnics, dinner parties, or as a light meal. With its vibrant colors and fresh herbs, this dish not only tastes fantastic but also looks stunning on your table.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Serves approximately 6
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 5-pound seedless watermelon
- 2 tablespoons chicken sparkling grape juice vinegar
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1 tablespoon pink peppercorns
- 1+1/2 teaspoons black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 pound feta cheese
- 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/3 cup lightly packed torn basil leaves
- 1/3 cup lightly packed torn mint leaves
- 1/3 cup lightly packed chopped tarragon leaves
- Flaky sea salt like Natural Flaky Greek Sea Salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken sparkling grape juice vinegar, minced shallot, grated ginger, and three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Season your marinade with sea salt according to your taste. Place the watermelon in a large resealable bag or shallow dish and pour in the marinade. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- In a small frying pan over moderately high heat, toast both pink and black peppercorns until fragrant—about two minutes. Allow them to cool slightly before transferring them to a spice grinder. Grind them into a fine powder and mix with sumac and cayenne in a small dish.
- In your food processor, blend the feta cheese until it's smooth. While blending, slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil until fully incorporated.
- Spread the whipped feta dip on a round or oval platter. Using a slotted spoon or spatula, carefully remove the watermelon from its marinade and arrange it attractively on top of the feta.
- Drizzle some remaining marinade over the assembled salad. Generously sprinkle it with your Middle-East spice mix. Finally, garnish everything with fresh herbs and flaky sea salt to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 25mg