Sweet and Spicy Rubbed and Grilled Watermelon Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette
By: Souffle Bombay
Watermelon is just perfect on its own, especially when it’s prime watermelon season. However you can do so much more with it as well. From watermelon salsa, to watermelon cocktails to watermelon salads, this mega-fruit is more versatile than many people realize!
- Yield: 4 Servings
- Course: Appetizer
Ingredients
- watermelon
Rub:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper, (cayenne)
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- a few dashes of black pepper
Honey Lime Vinaigrette:
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lime
- 1/3 cup grapeseed oil or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic, rice or honey vinegar
Assembly:
- feta cheese (or goat cheese)
- arugula or mixed greens
- pine nuts or sunflower seeds
- chopped parsley or cilantro
Optional add-ins include:
- thinly sliced red onion, scallions, yellow pepper, edamame, balsamic glaze, thinly sliced jalapenos
Directions
- Cut your watermelon into thick 1¼ to 1½ inch slices.
- Use a large biscuit cutter to cut 4 circular "watermelon steaks" from the center of each slice (I used a 3½ inch diameter fluted cutter).
- Cut up leftover watermelon and refrigerate for snacking.
- Make the rub by combining brown sugar, red pepper, chili powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Mix with your fingertips until incorporated.
- Make dressing in a mason jar and shake to emulsify, taste and adjust for your preference of sweetness and heat.
- Clean and oil your grill, heat to high. Once grill is hot carefully place watermelon steaks onto the grill. Allow to cook for 2 minutes or so, gently peek at the underside. Once you see grill marks, gently flip steaks over (I use silicone tongs for this).
- Once grill marks are achieved, remove the watermelon from the grill, place them atop arugula, sprinkle with cheese, pine nuts or sunflower seeds, vinaigrette and dressing and serve immediately.