Watermelon, Ricotta Salata, and Fresh Herb Salad

Updated February 23, 2016

Chef

Cookbook

Laura Werlin's Cheese Essentials: An Insider's Guide to Buying and Serving Cheese: with 50 Recipes

Published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang

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This salad is as refreshing as a not-too-hot summer day and evokes images of the same with its mixture of herbs and the light citrus dressing. The cheese adds the salt component and dense texture to the otherwise ethereal salad.

Serves8

CostModerate

Easy

Total Timeunder 15 minutes

Kid FriendlyYes

OccasionBuffet, Casual Dinner Party, Family Get-together

Recipe Courseappetizer, side dish

Dietary Considerationegg-free, gluten-free, halal, kosher, low carb, peanut free, soy free, tree nut free, vegetarian

Taste and Texturecheesy, herby, sweet, tangy, tart

Type of Dishfruit salad

Ingredients

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons lime juice
2 teaspoons lime zest
½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
6 cups watermelon, (about a 6-pound piece) preferably seedless, cut into ¾-inch chunks (or use pre-cut watermelon)
4 ounces ricotta salata cheese, cut into ¼-inch dice (or use feta or myzithra cheese)
¼ cup julienned fresh mint plus extra mint sprigs
¼ cup julienned fresh basil
¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh Italian parsley
Salt

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, zest, and salt. Add the oil slowly and whisk until incorporated. Set aside. (You can make the dressing up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.)
Drain the pre-cut watermelon, if using.
To assemble: Toss the watermelon with the cheese. Add the dressing and herbs. Taste and depending on the saltiness of the cheese, add salt a little at a time to bring out the full flavors of the salad. Garnish with mint sprigs and serve right away.