Grilled Watermelon Salad

I mentioned here that I am trying to enjoy these last few weeks of summer by cooking all of my summer favorites. Last week we kicked off our meal with a grilled watermelon salad inspired by this recipe. It is a great dish during the hot summer months, full of flavor and easy to make.

Arugala has a great pepper taste to it, when biting into the salad you get the peppery crunch of the arugala and sweet concentrated flavor of watermelon making for a fantastic combination of flavors.

Grilled Watermelon Salad

• Seedless watermelon
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• kosher salt
• 2 cups fresh baby arugala
• 1 cup crumbled goat cheese *I used feta since that is what I had on hand
• pepper

Cut the watermelon, whichever way is easier for you, I cut it in half, and then again into large pieces, removing the rind and then again into square shapes that are manageable to handle and a good size for an appetizer.

Meanwhile in a small saucepan bring the vinegar to a simmer, and cook until reduced to a thick syrup consistency.

Heat a nonstick gril pan or BBQ, I used a grill pan that night, but a BBQ works just as well. Drizzle olive oil over the watermelon slices, and sprinkle with salt. Grill each side of the watermelon until grill marks appear, then set aside to cool while you assemble the rest of the salad.

To assemble the salad put about a 1/4 cup of arugula on each salad plate, top it with the grilled watermelon slice, then top with crumbled goat cheese or feta, your choice! then drizzle with a touch of olive oil, then a larger drizzle of the reduced vinegar, along with a dash of salt and pepper, serve and enjoy!