keep your diet real

When I was little, we used to carve out the seeds in our watermelon using a set of decorative vintage picnic knives. They looked kind of like small butter knives but with ceramic fruits as the handles. I really liked those knives, but don’t have much use for them for mainly two reasons. 1. Watermelons with seeds have become nearly extinct. 2. I don’t go on many picnics.

I prefer to eat my food inside. It all stems from a traumatic lunch experience that I had at the beach when I was 3 years old.

Picture this….Summer 1983. Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett, RI (aka Sand Hill Cove to anyone from Rhode Island). Beautiful summer day. I’m 3 years old and at the beach with my family. I just finished my lunch of baked chicken and rice. At this point you may be asking, why would anyone bring a hot meal liked baked chicken to the beach? That is an excellent question and 28 years later, your guess is as good as mine.

Anyway, after I finished my hot lunch, my Mom gives me an Oreo cookie. As I am about to take a nibble, a filthy seagull making a high pitched squawk swoops down and snatches the cookie right out of my hand! Naturally, I did what any toddler would do. In a moment of unbridled anger and disgust, I shook my fist at the sky and demanded justice….and another cookie.

What does any of this have to do with a recipe for watermelon feta salad? Very little in fact. Watermelon is simply summer food to me. Whether you carve out the seeds or ball it up and make a salad, it’s delicious and also good for you.

Watermelon Feta Salad

Ingredients

• 2 cups of watermelon (balled)
• 1/2 English cucumber (peeled, hollowed, cut on bias)
• 1/4 or less of a red onion (thinly sliced)
• 4 fresh basil leaves (chiffonade)
• 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of agave
• sprinkle of feta cheese
• sprinkle of sea salt (optional)

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the watermelon, cucumber, onion, and basil
2. In a separate smaller mixing bowl, combine the vinegar, olive oil, and agave
3. Add the bowl with the dressing to the bowl with the watermelon
4. Sprinkle with feta cheese and sea salt (optional)
5. Makes 2 servings
6. Enjoy as an appetizer or side salad

What does summer food look like to you?

This is a simple and fresh summer salad that can be ready in under 5 minutes.

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