Description
A festive and refreshing Watermelon, Feta and Mint Christmas Wreath Salad featuring chilled watermelon cut into triangles, fresh mint leaves, and crumbled Greek feta cheese, all drizzled with a tangy lime and honey dressing. Perfect for a light and colorful holiday appetizer or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Watermelon Wreath
- 1 kg watermelon (prepared weight, rind trimmed), chilled
- 6 sprigs fresh mint leaves, leaves picked
- 100 g Greek feta cheese, roughly crumbled
Dressing
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoon honey
- Freshly ground black pepper, optional
Instructions
- Wash the Watermelon Rind: Thoroughly wash the watermelon rind to remove any dirt or bacteria before cutting to keep the fruit clean and safe.
- Cut the Watermelon: Slice the watermelon into 1 cm thick slices, then cut these slices into approximately 4.5 cm squares, and finally cut each square diagonally into triangles. Discard the rind.
- Create Star Shapes: Use a small star cookie cutter to cut 12 stars from the neater watermelon offcuts for decoration on top of the salad. Set aside any leftover watermelon for eating later.
- Assemble the Wreath: Arrange the watermelon triangles evenly around the perimeter of a large platter, interspersing mint leaves as you go to form a wreath shape. Place the watermelon stars on top and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine extra virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, and honey. Stir well and adjust to taste. Add freshly ground black pepper if desired.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle the dressing evenly over the watermelon wreath and feta. Serve immediately to maintain freshness and crispness.
Notes
- Watermelon should be chilled for a crisp texture; avoid leaving it at room temperature for extended periods to prevent sogginess.
- The 1 tablespoon measurement is based on a standard Australian tablespoon (20 ml). Use 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon if measuring USDA tablespoon equivalents.
- Do not assemble the salad too far in advance as watermelon will become soggy; prepare components ahead and assemble just before serving.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but note the watermelon may release water and mint leaves may darken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
