I know I always say the dishes on this show are my “favorite”, but this Watermelon Feta Arugula Salad is truly my favorite salad of all time. I make it mostly in the warmer months when fresh watermelon and arugula are available. Since there aren’t many ingredients, using the freshest available products is key to making this salad shine.
In Greece watermelon is very abundant. A lot of people grow them in their gardens, they also are easy to find at any market. The sweet red fruit is perfect for the hot Greek climate, it’s high water content makes it very refreshing to enjoy on sunny days. I’ve always loved the fact that when you get the melon in Greece it is cool on the inside no matter how hot the sun is that it’s been sitting in!
Since we eat a lot of watermelon I often plan a few watermelon dishes when I buy a whole fruit. To make the salad I usually start off with half the melon and use a melon baller to scoop out the amount I need for my salad. If you don’t have a melon baller simply use a knife to cut the watermelon into bite size cubs. Place the melon on a bed of fresh arugula that’s been topped with thin slices of red onion and chopped mint leaves.
To finish the salad, crumble the feta cheese evenly on top of the fruit and add the dressing. I always use Dedoni feta because it is so incredibly creamy and is very high quality. The tangy cheese is such a nice contrast with the sweet fruit. The dressing is the classic ladolemono sauce we make so often. It’s made of fresh lemon juice, fruity olive oil, and lots of dried oregano.
As you can tell, this salad is incredibly easy to prepare and I recommend it to anyone looking for a new way to serve watermelon this summer. The sweet fruit and salty cheese is always a winning combination. It is very easy to make for someone’s house if you are going to a barbecue. It’s also a simple side dish to throw together if you are making a simple family meal at home. You can use any variety of watermelon you find at the market, just make sure it’s as fresh and sweet as possible. Enjoy!
WATERMELON FETA ARUGULA SALAD
This is probably my favorite salad in the world. It is flavorful and refreshing. I love the contrast of sweet watermelon and salty feta. I use red onion in this salad because I like the flavor, but you can opt out of using it if you want.
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
2 handfuls fresh arugula
¼ red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons finely chopped mint leaves
4 cups fresh watermelon
½ pound high-quality feta
Ladolemono Sauce
¾ cup olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
Add the arugula to a large salad bowl.
Thinly slice the red onion and scatter it over the arugula.
Scatter the chopped mint leaves on top of the onion.
Use a melon baller to scoop about 4 cups of fresh watermelon, or scoop it out with a big spoon and cut the watermelon into bite size pieces before adding to the salad.
Crumble the feta generously over the top of the watermelon.
Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and oregano and pour it over the salad. Serve!
Nikki Glekas is the owner of Nikki Glekas Events, a full-service catering and events company located in Stamford, CT. She is currently operating with COVID-safe procedures and is happy to discuss your event and catering needs with you. To discuss further please contact team@nikkiglekasevents.com or call 203.658.8659.