Watermelon Salad with Feta, Pistachios & Honey Jalapeno Vinaigrette

Watermelon Salad with Feta, Pistachios & Honey Jalapeno Vinaigrette

Serves 6 to 8

I help people with a lot of appetizer parties with a variety of small bites that are fun and unique but sometimes the menu could become heavy with rich foods.   I suggest to my clients to mix in menu items that are fresh and light to give your palette a rest in between rich party foods.  This watermelon salad is flavorful and will wake up your taste buds; the blend of the sweetness of the watermelon paired with the jalapeno dressing and the earthy pistachios is so satisfying.

You can serve it in a bowl or small glasses like I did as a fun appetizer…Time to party!

8 cups of seedless watermelon cut into 1 inch cubes (about 6 pounds)

1 cup crumbled feta cheese, about 5 ounces

1/2 cup crushed pistachios

1 cup of fresh mint leaves, chopped

Vinaigrette

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon chopped jalapeno

Pinch of kosher salt and black pepper

Directions

Cut rind from watermelon and cut the melon into cubes, placing in colander to drain as you cut them

In a small bowl or blender, mix all the ingredients for the vinaigrette

Place watermelon in serving bowl and pour dressing, feta and mint over and toss gently, sprinkle the top with pistachios and serve right away or keep chilled up to two hours in the refrigerator