Do you have a favourite memory of a perfect summer day?

Summer means cottages, camping, beaches, pools, campfires, and roasted marshmallows, but somehow a seemingly ‘normal’ day (is there such a thing?) created the strongest and happiest memory, and in this case a recipe.

This is a memory of a perfect summer day, and a favourite recipe that came out of it too.

Having my kids home for a visit in the summer is a high point for me, and having them all at home at once is a reason to celebrate.

I remember a special time a few years ago when all three of my kids were home for a visit, it was a bright and sunny weekend, and I was inspired to try a refreshing new recipe to celebrate.

The recipe began with a watermelon, and my favourite treat is squeezing lime juice on watermelon and eating it with a fork, and it evolved from there…

I’m sharing this with you today, I hope you have fun with it and this is the beginning of a bright and sunny memory for you too. ;))

Please share your summer memories, and recipes below I would love to see them!

Refreshing Watermelon Salad

Nancy Crites

Enjoy this salad as a main dish, or as a salad with grilled or cold chicken on the side.

Print Recipe

Course Main Course, Salad

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 1 medium ripe watermelon to provide 4 cups, chopped
• 1 English cucumber
• 1 cup Feta cheese goat or cow
• 3-4 tbsp juice from fresh limes
• 1 small red onion thinly sliced
• 1 bunch flat parsley washed, stems removed
• 1 bunch fresh mint washed and stems removed

Instructions

 

• Wash and squeeze the limes, you need about 3 tablespoons of juice.
• Remove the peel and thinly slice the red onion, cut slices in half or quarters.
• In a small bowl, add the sliced onion to the lime juice and marinate.
• Slice watermelon into 1-inch thick pieces, cut into triangles and remove rind and pits, chop into 1 to 1 1/2 inch pieces.
• Wash and cut the cucumber into 4 pieces lengthwise and chop these into bite-sized pieces.
• Chop or break Feta into bite-size pieces
• Tear or chop parsley and mint leaves into nice sized pieces, not too small.
• Combine the above ingredients in a large bowl.
• Pour the onions and lime juice marinade over the salad and toss.
• Add a pinch of salt and a generous grinding of pepper.
• Taste, and adjust salad ingredients to suit your taste, or add more lime, salt, and pepper if needed.
• Enjoy this beautiful salad with people you love, or as a treat for yourself.

Notes

Before preparing the salad, chill all ingredients.  This salad can be served immediately. or refrigerated before serving.  It transports well to a picnic on an icepack.

I usually cook without a recipe and salads are the perfect place to experiment. Feel free to add more protein to this salad if it will be served as a meal, and make any changes you wish, it's yours to enjoy.

Please share a favourite salad recipe or a summer memory below.  I love hearing from you!