Watermelon, Feta, and Mint Salad

Name: Watermelon, Feta, and Mint Salad
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 5 cups watermelon; 200 g white cheese or feta; 1 cucumber; 1/2 cup mint; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cold watermelon, white cheese, mint, and cucumber with a light lemon dressing.

Vegetarian

Cooking time: 10 min
Hands-on time: 10 min
Difficulty: Easy
Calories: 190
Contains: Dairy

Salt comes from the cheese rather than the dressing; adding it last keeps both cheese and watermelon intact.

Before you start

Before turning on the heatUse cold, firm watermelon and drain any juice released after cutting before dressing.
The twenty-minute promiseThe clock runs from the first cut to serving. There is no hidden soak or marinade and no pre-cooked ingredient unless it is clearly labeled canned or ready to eat.

Ingredients

4people

Amounts follow the number of people

For the salad

To double the recipe, use a wider pan or bowl and adjust salt, acid, and spices by tasting rather than arithmetic alone.

Equipment

Large mixing bowl — The wide bowl distributes the dressing without crushing the ingredients.
Sharp knife and chopping board — Set it out before starting so the recipe stays within its short cooking time.

Method

Cut the watermelon and cucumber, drain released juice, and cube the cheese.
3 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
The ingredients are drained, dry, and ready to mix.
Tip: Clinging water dilutes dressing, so drying is part of the recipe.
Whisk lemon, oil, and pepper without salt.
1 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
The dressing is emulsified and tastes slightly stronger than it should on its own.
Tip: Taste the dressing on a leaf or bean from the salad, not only from the spoon.
Pick the mint leaves, leaving them whole and tearing only the largest.
1 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
Pieces are similar in size so each forkful holds more than one ingredient.
Tip: Keep leaves and herbs slightly larger than the beans or grains so they do not disappear.
Gently toss the watermelon, cucumber, and mint with the dressing.
3 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
Every ingredient has a light coating and no dressing pools at the bottom.
Tip: Fold from the bottom of the bowl instead of pressing down on the ingredients.
Add the cheese cubes, fold once, and serve immediately.
2 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
The salad is balanced, crisp, and ready to serve.
Tip: Add fragile ingredients last so they keep their shape.