Watermelon Salad

JanuaryBride's Note:

Recipe from a restaurant called Iron Barley here in St. Louis. They say this recipe is for 2 dinner size entree portions. If you are going to serve it as a side dish it will serve 4, but they recommend you cut the watermelon in smaller pieces if doing smaller salads. Cooking time is actually marinating time. NOTE: I served just the marinated watermelon as a side dish (didn't put it atop greens nor did I use onions) and it was great with BBQ meat!!!

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 2

For dressing

• ½ cup red wine vinegar
• 1⁄3; cup honey
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 cup olive oil

For salad

• 4 -5 cups of ripe watermelon , cut in 2-inch-square chunks
• ¼ large red onion , sliced vertically into 1/4-inch slivers
• 4 cups mixed baby greens (include some bitter greens in the mix)
• pepper

Directions:

1. Mix first six ingredients in a deep-sided bowl. Drizzle and whisk the olive oil into the mixture to emulsify. Set aside.
2. Mix the watermelon and red onion together in a large bowl.
3. Pour the dressing over the melon, turning to coat all sides. Return it to the refrigerator and let the melon marinate for 20 minutes or less. NOTE: I cut my melon very small and it was best after about 5 minutes in the marinade!
4. Layer the field greens on a small dinner plate.
5. Place the chunks of watermelon (allowing some of the dressing to transfer to the lettuce) and the onion in the center of the greens.
6. Grind pepper to taste over the salad.

Reviews

[Baby Kato]

I really enjoyed this salad JB. It was awesome. I love watermelon and this is a special way to enjoy it. Quick, easy to make and even easier to eat. I loved the dressing, it was the perfect accompaniment to flavor the watermelon. Thank you so much for sharing this treat which has been placed in my keeperbox. :)

[Cookgirl]

I loved all the flavors in this salad although the salad dressing is a little too sweet. I would cut back on the honey considerably and reduce the brown sugar by half. A sprinkle of fresh basil ribbons was a delicious addition. We want to make this again soon with red and yellow watermelon. Reviewed for Veg Swap July.

[Dreamer in Ontario]

This rather unusual mix of ingredients really works! This is a deliciouly refreshing salad. It was prepared as written with the exception of using a sweet onion in place of the red onion since that was what I had on hand. Made for Vegetarian Swap 12.