Monday, July 4, 2011

Tomato Watermelon Salad with Toasted Almonds and Feta



This past weekend has been extremely busy and fun-filled here at Savoring Time in the Kitchen. We started out the holiday weekend hosting our gourmet group. There were several stand-out recipes, one of which was the tomato-watermelon salad.


It was a very warm evening and this salad was so refreshing - everyone loved it. Please excuse the bad photography but it was getting dark which is not a good thing for picture-taking!

Here are a few photos of our gourmet table just before our guests arrived. I have a tall plant stand that we place in the center of the table that I have strung with white mini-lights in order to light the table after dark:



I used fresh ferns on the table to help evoke a 'cool' feeling since it was a very warm Saturday night. My hostess gifts to our friends were fresh basil plants in colorful take-out containers.


Tomato-Watermelon Salad with Toasted Almonds and Feta

Adapted from Bon Appetit - August, 2006
Printable Recipe

Yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings

8 cups 1 1/4-inch chunks seedless watermelon (about 6 pounds)
3 pounds ripe tomatoes (preferably heirloom) in assorted colors, cored, cut into 1 1/4-inch chunks (about 6 cups)
1 teaspoon (or more) fleur de sel or coarse kosher salt
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons chopped assorted fresh herbs (such as dill, basil, and mint)
6 cups mixed greens
1 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 5 ounces)
1/2 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted

Combine melon and tomatoes in large bowl. Add 4 tablespoons oil, vinegar, and herbs to melon mixture. Season to taste with pepper and fleur de sel just before serving to avoid drawing out too much moisture from the melon.

Toss greens in medium bowl with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and divide among plates. Top with melon salad; sprinkle with feta cheese and toasted almonds and serve.

50 comments:

  1. Mmmm, beautiful salad! I love it too! Thanks for sharing. Have a happy day! Hugs!

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  2. That does sound good ! What a pretty table setting. Hope you are enjoying the 4th.

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  3. Happy Independence Day. What a lovely table and salad. I bet the nuts bring a nice crunch to the salad. I'll definitely be trying this one.
    Sam

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  4. You look so good Nana2 I have trouble concentrating on the rest:)

    Really..Kudos..tu es belle!

    I love that spot.. for the Gourmet dinners..never knew tomatoes would go well w/ watermelon..
    I love watermelon salads..hanks!

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  5. Your watermelon salad sounds so refreshing and your patio looks so cool & inviting surrounded by all the green! Love your Red, White & Blue flowers mosaic! Happy Independence Day!

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  6. All looks beautiful including you! I know I would love that salad. I make something similar but simpler. Have to try this! Happy 4th to you and your family Susan :-)

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  7. Such a wonderful way to spend an enchanted evening you have created.

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  8. The salad looks so good, very refreshing, I'm still getting used to wrapping my taste buds around watermelon other than a dessert, or a cocktail :) I would definitely love to try it.Looks like a wonderful evening with great friends, beautiful table and garden!

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  9. Gorgeous,refreshing salad and beautiful table....a perfect spot for a party......

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  10. Boy does that watermelon salad look refreshing. I just spent a weekend in the sun, and sounds so good. Your patio and clematis looks wonderful!

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  11. What a beautiful setting for your party. The salad looks delicious, too. Happy 4th of July.

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  12. So beautiful! your setting is perfect. Many years ago we also had a gourmet group; I so enjoyed reading this; brought back good memories. Thank you.
    Rita

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  13. I'm printing out the recipe--it has our favorite things and looks delicious.

    What a beautiful setting for your dinner. And I love the herb "gift" idea. Good to see you!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  14. What a beautiful combination of flavors and textures, perfect for a warm summer evening. Watermelon is one of my favorite summer treats.

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  15. Now this is a party I should never have missed. Everything looks great with a great dining. Love how much attention you paid for details.

    Hope you have a great week ahead.

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  16. The salad is beautiful Susan, such a pretty setting too! I'm sure everyone was happy with their very tasty gift:@)

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  17. This salad reminds me of childhood friends who would order feta and watermelon every day by the pool in the summer; truly a summer salad. Love your garden and this forest behind the table is just so beautiful. Makes me wish for more nature in my urban environment here! You look lovely and so gracious as well.

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  18. Susan, your party table looked so elegant in your beautiful garden setting, and your dinner sounds wonderful! It must have been such a pleasure for your guests to dine on such a gourmet meal. I have yet to try a watermelon salad..this sounds like a delicious combination!

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  19. Susan, you look so elegant and great! I love your garden party setup! Really, it's marvelous. I am not surprised at all that everyone loved that salad!

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  20. Sounds like an awesome weekend! You look gorgeous and this salad looks delicious! I love how the tangy feta offsets the watermelon!

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  21. Beautiful setting for your dinner, Susan. I love your table.
    And, of course, watermelon salad. So refreshing in the summer.
    Hope you had a wonderful 4th!

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  22. That salad looks delicious! And I love your summer table - your guests must have felt completely pampered!

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  23. "Tres chic" Susan! I like your summer table;a great recipe, so refreshing,have a good day, hugs....

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  24. Looks like a serious dinner is about to happen. I would have never thought to use watermellon in anything but a fruit salad - it does look very refreshing.

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  25. great salad and wow what a pretty place to eat you look great :-)

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  26. All look georgeous and you too dear, what amazing and nice pictures!! gloria

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  27. Sounds so refreshing and wonderful. I adore you long yellow tablecloth, it is huge! What a pretty setting and a gorgeous hostess! Your idea of the tall centerpiece is wonderful, and I am sure once it was lit, it was something else. How fun.

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  28. What a perfect summer salad. I love watermelon and I really like the way it has been used in your salad. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  29. There's nothing better than fresh watermelon and feta! I'm super impressed by your beautiful dinner party... the hostess gift is such a good idea!

    Sues

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  30. You look FABULOUS, Sue!! Very thin & chic!!! (I can't remember the last time I was brave enough to wear white pants for a photograph)

    What an odd combination...the watermelon & tomatoes. I can't wrap my head around how it must taste. I'm willing to try it, though. Thank you for the recipe & for sharing your pretty table outside.

    I met my DH on a blind date set up by his kids & for our SECOND date, I invited him to go with me to my gourmet group. I wish we still had one! *sigh*

    Hugs,
    Rett

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  31. Muy lindos y excelentes platos que adoro,felicidades por el aniversario,aunque atrasado ,abrazos grandes.

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  32. Lovely table! Love the watermelon salad. That is a great combination! I know your guests enjoyed it:)

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  33. Very refreshing salad and your table setting is very beautiful, your gift is also very unique, I think all your guest enjoyed a lovely time!!

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  34. Such a lovely salad. The setting looks gorgeous!

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  35. Wow, what an amazing salad! Well done :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

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  36. I make the tomato-watermelon-feta salad a lot (well...not lately since I'm nursing and it upsets my daughter's tummy :( but I have never added nuts before. Cool!

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  37. What a beautifully set table! Your garden is absolutely lovely, and the perfect place to entertain. And that salad looks delicious as well- perfect for dinner on a warm evening. I've never put tomato and watermelon together in a salad before, but since I love both of them it won't be long before I try! :)

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  38. Sorry I am so late commenting. Blogger is acting up!
    Everything looks wonderful, and you are the hostess with the mostess. I am sure your guests gave you 4 stars!

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  39. Looks like you had a "haute" party, Susan! I saw this salad @ Bon Appetit and yours looks even better.

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  40. What a STUNNING yard and table setting, Susan! Fresh basil plants is a brilliant take home. I would LOVE to be one of your dinner guests. I would definitely appreciate every little detail as I am sure your friends did! Such fun!
    :)
    valerie

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  41. I love your beautiful table setting and patio. It looks like the perfect summer space. I can't wait to try the salade. Watermelon is a summer staple and putting it in a salade is a great idea. :-)

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  42. Lovely salad and lovely table, of course.

    But it was the lovely host that made the event a memorable one.

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  43. what a lovely post susan...and so wonderful to see the beautiful "yours truly!" The salad spells summer in capitals and the ambiance is everything that we would all love...so wish I was one of the guests!
    Ronelle

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  44. what a lovely post susan...and so wonderful to see the beautiful "yours truly!" The salad spells summer in capitals and the ambiance is everything that we would all love...so wish I was one of the guests!
    Ronelle

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  45. Looks like a lovely outdoor gathering...and I love the idea of potted herbs as hostess gifts :)
    The salad looks truly refreshing and summery :)

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