Watermelon and Feta Salad With Serrano Chile Vinaigrette

College Girl's Note:

"Sweet, salty, tangy, and hot. This salad hits all the points of your palate," says chef Hugh Acheson, head chef of Five&Ten in Athens, Georgia. InStyle magazine claims this is the "Summer's Best Salad" in their June 09 Issue. The season's most refreshing dish combines tasty watermelon and feta spiked with chiles. This appetizing recipe goes well with grilled chicken, but you can also serve it as a sophisticated dessert.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 12.0 feta wa ...

• 1 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme , chopped
• 1 small shallot , minced
• 1 serrano chili , stemmed and sliced into small half-rounds
• salt
• 1 watermelon , seedless small
• 1⁄3; lb feta cheese , wedge sliced 1/8 inch thick (about 12 slices)
• 1 bunch arugula
• sliced serrano and lime (to garnish)

Directions:

1. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine olive oil, lime juice, vinegar, thyme, shallot, and serrano chile. Shake well.
2. Season with salt to taste; chill in refrigerator.
3. Remove rind from watermelon and slice flesh into 3" squares.
4. To assemble salad, layer one piece of watermelon on one piece of feta. Repeat.
5. Drizzle with vinaigrette and garnish with arugula and sliced serrano chile.

Reviews

[Baronne Chef #1057310]

this is truly a wonderful salad, thank you for the recipe.

[Pinot Grigio]

Great summer salad. This is my best friend's favorite new salad - and she eats a lot of salads. We made it together a couple of weeks ago (she got the recipe from a magazine) and I did enjoy it - it's light and refreshing. The combination of flavors is really interesting and different. We had it for lunch with a sparkling wine. She recommends using the highest quality of feta you can get and we used a good one. I give it 4 stars, but she gives it a 5+. I will make it again and maybe add an extra chili, cut the watermelon into smaller pieces, and toss it all together - just personal preference. Thanks for posting as I neglected to get the recipe from her :).