Let’s talk about the fact that I don’t have a single picture from this weekend that doesn’t include a naked baby splashing in a water table on the back deck (ahem, the best.) The moments I did want to share with you guys, my epic fajitas from Monterrey for lunch on Saturday followed by deck sailing at my parent’s house all afternoon, escaped the lens of my iPhone. Such is life with a toddler (toddler!) Scarfing fajitas with one hand while feeding him turkey pinwheels with the other. Cracking open a cold Omission one second then enjoying post-nap snuggles the next.
Ain’t nobody got time for recreational photography these days, apparently!
Fortunately I DO have pictures of the seriously simple and summery salad I’m sharing today. Watermelon, Feta, Basil and Pistachio Salad with Reduced Balsamic Vinaigrette is rocking my world right now. Let’s forget about the rockin’ taste for a second – just look at these colors. I want to wear them!
This has been the summer of watermelon and basil for my family. Lincoln would eat a quarter watermelon at each meal if we let him and my basil factory out back has forced me to incorporate the herb into several meals each week. Not that I’m complaining or anything. Basil and I are totally like this. What have you been eating like crazy this summer?
Anyway, my recent prayers for a summer heat wave were finally answered last week (I just wanted one before fall, ya’ know?) and the scorching hot temps lately have had me looking for refreshing meals that are nearly no heat required. This salad is it!
Sweet, fresh watermelon is combined with lettuce and basil for a super light base then pumped up with cubed feta cheese, chopped pistachios, and my favorite part, reduced balsamic vinaigrette. As in, reduced balsamic vinegar used IN the vinaigrette that’s drizzled on top. I know. I KNOW. It’s got a hint of garlic that’s going to drive you wild.
This salad is the perfect starter to any meal, or if it’s hot as blazes where you live too, a filling and refreshing entree that’s nearly no heat required.
Start by making the Reduced Balsamic Vinaigrette, which I am currently dying over as it includes reduced balsamic vinegar, one of my favorite foods on the planet. With it’s sweet-tart taste and syrupy texture, it’s the perfect base for this simple yet luscious vinaigrette.
All you do is boil 1 cup balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan until it’s the consistency of thin maple syrup, about 15-20 minutes or until you have between 3 and 4 Tablespoons of reduced vinegar.
Let the reduced vinegar cool slightly then add to a mason jar with 1 clove minced garlic, 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper, and then shake to combine. Oh man I tell you what – the instant the warm vinegar hits the raw garlic it is lights out. Intoxicating! I stuck my nose into the jar to get the biggest whiff possible and ended up choking on warm vinegar fumes.
#worthit
The rest of the salad components are a cinch to prep. Cube a 6oz block of feta cheese, julienne 14-16 fresh basil leaves, roughly chop 1/4 cup shelled pistachios, then cube 2 cups fresh watermelon.
Like I said, we’ve gone watermelon crazy this summer and though the growing season is nearly over, it’s never too late to learn how to pick out the perfect watermelon and cube it for a pretty presentation.
Search for a watermelon that’s heavy for it’s size and has a large white or pale yellow spot on the underside which indicates it’s been sitting and ripening to perfection in the sun.
Wash then dry the watermelon, and then cut it in half. I find my serrated bread knife works even better than my big chef’s knife for the job!
Cut each half in half, then slice each quarter like so.
Switch to a smaller, paring knife then slice off the rind and then cube the watermelon. That’s it!
To assemble the salad, divide 9-10oz lettuce (I used arugula) on plates then top with the watermelon, feta, pistachios, and basil. Give each plate a heavy drizzle of Reduced Balsamic Vinaigrette, and then serve!
free email bonus!
5 Day Clean Eating Guide
Fresh and craveable recipes + healthy eating tips!
Watermelon, Feta, Basil and Pistachio Salad with Reduced Balsamic Vinaigrette
Description
Watermelon, Feta, Basil and Pistachio Salad with Reduced Balsamic Vinaigrette combines summer’s produce in a light and refreshing salad.
Ingredients
- 9-10oz arugula, or other mixed green
- 2 cups 1″ watermelon cubes
- 6oz block feta, cubed
- 1/4 cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
- 14-16 fresh basil leaves, julienned
- For the Reduced Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- salt and pepper
Directions
- Bring balsamic vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan then turn heat down slightly and boil until consistency is like thin maple syrup, 15-20 minutes. You should have 3 – 4 Tablespoons reduced vinegar. Let vinegar cool slightly then pour into a mason jar, add garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper, and then shake to combine and set aside.
- Divide lettuce among plates then top with watermelon, feta, pistachios, and basil, and then drizzle with Reduced Balsamic Vinaigrette.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Like I said, this salad was perfectly refreshing and filling on a hot summer night, but if you need some extra protein, top the salads with grilled chicken or shrimp. I happen to think citrus-grilled shrimp would taste marvelous with the sweet watermelon. Either way – enjoy!
oh yum! It’s been unseasonably cool here but we are loving watermelon anyway. I love that you incorporated reduced balsamic into a dressing instead of just using it on its own.
You know what is the total worst – I have not eaten ANY watermelon this year. BUT, I have been dying to try it with feta and I can never say no to reduced balsamic (SO GOOD!) So clearly I must change it before summer is over! Pinned :)
Yum! This could not look more delicious on a day with a 102 degree heat index expected (in Chicago – ahh!) Stay cool out there.
This looks amazing! Love all the textures going on!
I have never tried watermelon in a salad, but it has me really intrigued! I am excited to try this :)
This looks amazing! I’ve been eating tomatoes and peaches all summer long! They are my go-to staples!
YOU’RE responsible for this awful heat wave??? Next time could ya wish for it WITHOUT all the humidity? :P
I could eat balsamic reduction on everything, too!
I love making a version of this salad but have never added pistachios..must try!
This is such a stunning combination! Beautiful photos too.
This looks so good! It’s been hotter than usual in Seattle this summer, so lots of watermelon for me. This is a great way it!
Watermelon is the perfect food. I could eat it all the time! Melon is always my summertime obsession.
i just made this for lunch. Thank you! here are a few amazing summer salads you may love http://www.inallofhersplendor.com/2014/08/01/5-sensational-summer-side-salads/
What a beautiful salad! I love fruit with balsamic vinegar drizzled on top, so this dressing sounds absolutely dreamy to me. This seems to be the summer of watermelon; we’ve eaten no less than 10 this summer and there’s only 4 of us…
This looks so refreshing and summery! I love it. Plus, I love your mini-tutorial on cutting watermelon. You’d think I’d have it mastered by now after eating so much watermelon this summer, but for some reason I just haven’t figured out the “right” way to cut it…I think I do now, though! Thanks!
[…] Kristin Porter / Via iowagirleats.com […]
Reduced balsamic is my secret ingredient in everything from soups to stews to salads. LOVE this!
[…] Watermelon, Feta, Basil & Pistachio Salad with Reduced Balsamic Vinaigrette – Iowa Girl Eats (Pin It) […]
[…] Kristin Porter / Via iowagirleats.com […]
Hi Kristin!
Usually I don’t even think about mixing fruit in a salad but this looks really yummy, I will defiantly try it! Thanks!
Xx
[…] via Iowa Girl Eats […]
What is the nutritional value ?
[…] The Recipe can be found HERE […]
[…] The Recipe can be found HERE […]
[…] The Recipe can be found HERE […]
amazingly simple and scrumptious recipe
My daughter made this for my birthday, and it was delicious! The dressing is so light and tasty. I will definitely be making this salad.