Watermelon "Steak" Salad

Name: Watermelon "Steak" Salad
Total time: 35 min
Yield: Makes 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 medium-size red onion, sliced; 1 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt; 12 cups assorted tender salad greens (such as mâche, watercress, arugula, and Bibb); 1 cup crumbled Cotija or feta cheese; Smoky Dijon Dressing; 8 (1 1/4-inch-thick) chilled seedless watermelon slices, rinds removed; 3/4 cup salted pepitas or sunflower seeds

6 Reviews

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Photo: Hector Sanchez; Stylist: Lydia Degaris Pursell

Hands-on Time

30 Mins

Total Time

35 Mins

Yield

Makes 8 servings

Not your mother's fruit salad. A cold, thick, steak-like slice of ripe watermelon pairs unexpectedly well with salty Cotija cheese and a smoky vinaigrette. Also try it with leftover grilled chicken or beef.

Ingredients

1 medium-size red onion, sliced
1 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons table salt
12 cups assorted tender salad greens (such as mâche, watercress, arugula, and Bibb)
1 cup crumbled Cotija or feta cheese
Smoky Dijon Dressing
8 (1 1/4-inch-thick) chilled seedless watermelon slices, rinds removed
3/4 cup salted pepitas or sunflower seeds

How to Make It

Step 1

Stir together first 5 ingredients and 1/4 cup water in a glass bowl. Cover and chill 2 hours. (Mixture can be made and chilled up to 2 days ahead.) Remove onions from marinade, discarding marinade.

Step 2

Toss together greens, cheese, 1 cup red onions, and desired amount of dressing in a large bowl. Top each watermelon slice with 1 1/2 cups greens mixture. Sprinkle with pepitas. Serve immediately with remaining vinaigrette and onions.

Ratings & Reviews

Kaseyshealth's Review

2014-07-26T16:43:17-04:00 keg0406

We just finished eating this recipe along with Mesquite grilled chicken breasts stuffed with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. I'm very torn over this recipe. The dressing recipe makes a LARGE amount! If I made it again, I would cut it down to a 1/4 of the size. It made a 16 oz container and I only used about 2 TBS to dress our salad perfectly. This is a BEAUTIFUL dish! It looks so pretty and appetizing on a plate. Taking my first bite I was impressed with the freshness of the watermelon, salty crunch of the pepitas and the smokiness of the dressing. I used micro greens and arugula. Next time I would use just baby romaine due to bitterness of the greens. I think my issue is that I couldn't eat a ton of this dish with the dressing having such a powerful presence. I think if the dressing had a lighter, fruity flavor instead of the punch of the smoky paprika it would be outstanding. I would cut the paprika in half and sub with honey vinegar or balsamic next time.

keg0406's Review

2014-06-28T14:22:02-04:00 SSE408

Loved it - perfect summer salad! Used watercress, arugula and frisee. Tastebuds and hips are happy with this recipe!

stallings06's Review

2013-08-04T14:13:59-04:00 Kaseyshealth

N/A

LataMaryFields's Review

2013-07-19T13:17:12-04:00 LataMaryFields

Very delicious! Perfect summer food.

SSE408's Review

2013-07-08T10:00:02-04:00 stallings06

simple and delicious

Watermelon "Steak" Salad

Ingredients

How to Make It

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Ratings & Reviews

Kaseyshealth's Review

keg0406's Review

stallings06's Review

LataMaryFields's Review

SSE408's Review

Watermelon "Steak" Salad

Ingredients

How to Make It

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