Yesterday morning I woke up to a wonderful email from my friend Karen, an editor for Shape.com, letting me know that one of the recipes I had written as part of a series for her last year was featured in the online page of the July issue of the magazine.
Not only was I excited to see my work mentioned in Shape, one of my favorite magazines, it’s also quite fitting that the recipe pictured on the page was my watermelon, feta and basil salad. Lately I’ve been on a huge watermelon kick, one that you might even call obsessive.
I mean, it’s watermelon, right? It’s a lot better than my chocolate chips straight from the bag kick or my there is no way there are more than three servings of sweet potato fries in that bag kick, right?
What I like best about this salad is that it’s completely unexpected. You’d expect mint over basil and you typically don’t serve fresh summer fruit in a light vinaigrette. Somehow though, it all melds together perfectly for a light and refreshing summer dish.
Serve this along with a refreshing cold soup or a light sandwich or wrap. It’s a good picnic salad if your picnic is a classy one that involves plates and eating utensils, but if you prefer to hit the town packing snacks of the finger food variety, this might be one to save for the days that you’re sticking closer to home.
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 T fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 8-lb seedless watermelon cut into 1½-inch chunks
- 1 cup reduced-fat feta
- 1 small sweet onion
- 1 cup coarsely chopped basil leaves
- In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Add the watermelon, feta and onion and toss gently. Garnish with the basil and serve.
87 Comments
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August 22, 2011 at 3:04 am[…] Anyone feel like pizza or pasta? This basil plant is staying healthy and hardy during the hot August temperatures. I think there’s a recipe for a salad using watermelon, mint and basil. Just found it […]
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August 9, 2011 at 9:54 pm[…] she never got into that show. The salad is inspired by our pal Maris over at In Good Taste whose version calls for […]
Aggie
July 14, 2011 at 3:23 pmLook at this! How exciting! Congrats…the recipe sounds delicious and it’s one of those ones I keep saying I’m going to make!!
Candace
July 13, 2011 at 8:26 pmI have yet to have watermelon this year and that’s so unusual for me. I guess because it’s just now starting to be summer in New Hampshire which is totally unlike summer in Louisiana which starts around April. Congratulations on being featured on Shape’s website! That is so exciting! I can completely see why this salad was featured. It looks absolutely delicious. I think my first watermelon of the season will not be eaten plain this year. It will definitely be in a version of this salad. Yum!
lynn
July 8, 2011 at 11:53 pmI made a salad just like this last year, and it was delish 🙂 Congrats on getting your story in Shape — very exciting!
Reeni
July 5, 2011 at 8:23 pmCongratulations! I love basil over mint and the combo of feta and watermelon sounds amazing!
Andrea@HighLowFoodDrink.com
July 5, 2011 at 6:20 pmCongrats Maris on the Shape article! Well deserved! Love this salad – since I’m the only one who eats watermelon in our household, I think I’ve had every version of watermelon salad and yours is def one of my faves!
Watermelon Salad « Misadventures in Cooking
July 5, 2011 at 4:45 pm[…] Queso, and Basil Salad, adapted from Maris Callahan’s Watermelon, Feta, and Basil Salad on In Good […]
Susan
July 5, 2011 at 3:07 pmI tried my first watermelon salad ever for our gourmet group dinner last weekend. It was wonderful! I can totally get your obsession 🙂 Congrats on the article!
The Waspy Redhead
July 4, 2011 at 7:55 pmHooray for being featured in Shape! I also love that magazine. Watermelon keeps me sane in the summer. I eat it nearly every day.
lisa keys
July 4, 2011 at 6:41 pmCongrats Maris-so proud of you. I love this watermelon salad-it went great with my grilled chicken
Jamie | My Baking Addiction
July 4, 2011 at 3:58 pmI love this flavor combination! I have something similar coming up on MBA…congrats on being featured in Shape! So awesome.
Liz
July 4, 2011 at 3:38 pmOh, I think I like the sound of basil even more than mint! What a lovely salad…and congratulations on its publication…wow!
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy
July 4, 2011 at 3:25 pmThis is just my kind of salad- fruity, fresh & healthy!! Love Love Love it! Congratulations on the magazine feature!
Caroline
July 4, 2011 at 2:35 pmWhat a perfect, simple and interesting flavor combo. I love it! Happy 4th!! xx
Watermelon granita with rosewater, mint and lemon « Chef in disguise
July 4, 2011 at 2:27 pm[…] lovely blogs I follow. There are many I have book marked and look forward to try soon, like this watermelon feta and basil salad on Maris’s In good taste blog and today’s recipe which was posted by Jessica from […]
Naomi
July 4, 2011 at 12:46 pmHappy 4th, Maris! I hope your having a great one. And congrats on your feature! So fantastic!
lisa @ smart food and fit
July 4, 2011 at 11:36 amCongrats! That’s great you are mentioned in Shape magazine! I love all three ingrdients! I made a watermelon granita last week, watermelon is so refreshing!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
July 4, 2011 at 8:27 amthis combo just does not get old to me!! watermelon is so perfect right about now :).
Joanne
July 4, 2011 at 7:37 amWait, eating chocolate chips from the bag is a “kick” and not a “lifestyle”? Hmm. I need to rethink this.
i’d much rather eat this salad, though. I love the non-traditional use of basil!
Nami @ Just One Cookbook
July 4, 2011 at 12:46 amOohhh! Congratulations Maris! That’s awesome!!! What an interesting combination of watermelon and feta, yet I’m so looking forward to trying this!
polwig
July 3, 2011 at 10:33 pmLove watermelon and feta salad, perfect for summer and Congratulations on your publication.
rebecca
July 3, 2011 at 9:31 pmawesome recipe of course they featured it
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic
July 3, 2011 at 7:45 pmI’m not the biggest fan of fruit served as a savory dish but I could actually imagine liking this! Sounds perfectly summery 🙂
Rivki Locker (Ordinary Blogger)
July 3, 2011 at 5:57 pmI’ve always been scared off by recipes with watermelon and feta. I guess I haven’t been convinced that the combination would ‘work.’ But you have won me over. I’m going to bookmark this and aim to try it this summer.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
July 3, 2011 at 5:43 pmLove watermelon and feta together! Congrats on have this great recipe featured in Shape.
Tessa
July 3, 2011 at 5:09 pmCongratulations on your Shape feature! Going to go browse their website now 🙂 Love the unexpected flavors in this salad.
Shaina
July 3, 2011 at 10:59 amCongratulations on the article mention, and I love the sweet and salty combination in this salad. Delicious.
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather
July 3, 2011 at 10:57 amThat sounds like the perfect summer time salad… a nice change to the norm.
Olga @ MangoTomato
July 3, 2011 at 10:23 amcongrats on the magazine! this is one of my favorite summer salads. sometimes I add tomatoes or roasted beets. other times I add steak 😉
Happy long weekend!
BakerbyNature
July 3, 2011 at 7:42 amMaris- I am so happy for you on the Shape topic; that is amazing and I will be keeping my eye out for it!
This recipe looks so refreshing, and much healthier then chocolate chips from the bag… I’m guilty of that too!
Little Inbox
July 3, 2011 at 7:09 amThis is so refreshing.
Cakewhiz
July 3, 2011 at 12:37 amCongrats on your publication! It’s very well-deserved 🙂
I usually eat watermelon just as slices but i am a feta cheese fanatic. Combining that cheesey flavor with the sweet watermelon sounds very cool!!!
Ellie@fitforthesoul
July 3, 2011 at 12:01 amI would have never ever imagined all of these ingredients together–but it sounds like a great idea Maris! And good for you on being in Shape~that’s such an exciting opportunity 😀
sheila @ Elements
July 2, 2011 at 8:58 pmCongratulations, Maris! I’m so excited for you that your recipe is being featured!! It’s a wonderful salad that’s perfect for summer!! And nibbling on watermelon is WAY healthier than reaching for the bag of chocolate chips or other sweet ooey gooey treats. I’m all for more watermelon recipes so if you have more I sure do hope you’ll post them! 🙂 Congrats again! sheila
Maria @ Scandifoodie
July 2, 2011 at 7:14 pmThat’s great news about the publication, congratulations! I love the combination of watermelon and feta or halloumi. So refreshing and delicious!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
July 2, 2011 at 6:02 pmThis is such a delightfully refreshing salad isn’t it! 😀 I like how you added basil to it too 🙂
Cecile
July 2, 2011 at 5:11 pmSo many watermelons around but it gets boring if eaten as a fruit. I will definitely try this one. Congratulations on your successes! You continue to help us all eat healthy, and enjoy it too.
Ally @ Sweet & Savory
July 2, 2011 at 3:11 pmCongrats! I never would have put feta and watermelon together, but it must work!
Gen
July 2, 2011 at 2:03 pmThat looks really interesting….I’ve never tried watermelon and basil together before!
Sawsan@chef in disguise
July 2, 2011 at 12:40 pmOh and CONGRATS on your recipe being featured 🙂
Sawsan@chef in disguise
July 2, 2011 at 12:39 pmI LOVE watermelon..I really do but for some reason I have never tried it in a salad…I really need to correct that
Kerstin
July 2, 2011 at 12:35 pmWoohoo, congrats on the Shape feature! It is the perfect summer recipe 🙂
Mary
July 2, 2011 at 10:39 amWhat a wonderful treat. I am a huge watermelon fan and this really looks delicious. Have a great weekend. Blessings…Mary
Amy
July 2, 2011 at 9:43 amPerfect combination for a summer salad! I love watermelon and feta together! Throw in herbs such as basil or mint, and you have somehthing wonderful :)!
sweetlife
July 2, 2011 at 9:30 amCongrats on the feature!! Love watermelon in any shape or form, but with feta. wow what a treat!
bonnie
sweetlife
Karriann Graf
July 2, 2011 at 8:54 amPerfect combination I would say! Have a great weekend!
Geni
July 2, 2011 at 8:30 amCongratulations on the feature!!! This salad does look fantastic. I am on a watermelon purée with Vodka tequila kick…your kick sounds healthier!
Tara
July 2, 2011 at 7:56 amI love the combination of watermelon and feta. Cool, Creamy, and delicious! Nothing beats that!
I’ll have to check out shape magazine! Congrats!
Lisa @ Tarte du Jour
July 2, 2011 at 7:21 amThis salad looks so refreshing and tasty! Congratulations on Shape magazine!
Angie@Angiesrecipes
July 2, 2011 at 6:12 amThis is a quick and fresh salad!
Natalie
July 2, 2011 at 4:11 amWell done for being published, how exciting! I make a salad similar to this but I use mint instead of basil, it’s my favourite summer salad. Going to try the basil now! 😀
Vivienne
July 2, 2011 at 2:37 amtotally unexpected! wasnt expecting basil or sweet onions – now im real curious as to how it’d all come together in my mouth! 🙂
congrats on the feature too 🙂 yay!!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking)
July 2, 2011 at 12:04 amI have been meaning to try this combination for a year! Seriously, once I started eating dairy again I swore to myself that I would get my hands on some watermelon and eat it with feta. I am definitely bookmarking this for the occasion when I have all these ingredients!
bellini
July 1, 2011 at 11:05 pmThis is such a refreshing change of pace Maris. Have a wonderful patriotic long weekend!!
Junia @ Mis Pensamientos
July 1, 2011 at 10:21 pmoooo great watermelon salad! i never even dreamed of eating watermelon with savory flavors, but i am seeing it everywhere in the blogworld. 😀
Kalyn
July 1, 2011 at 10:17 pmVery cool, and it sounds like a delicious combination.
Amanda
July 1, 2011 at 9:30 pmCongratulations!! I’ve been on a huge watermelon kick lately too and your salad looks amazing!
NancyC
July 1, 2011 at 8:54 pmCongratulations on your recipe being in Shape! I love eating watermelon in the summer, and your salad looks great!
Courtney
July 1, 2011 at 6:26 pmSounds tasty – but unusual (at least for me). Perfect for a 4th of July picnic, I’m thinking. And congrats on your article! That’s awesome!
Courtney
July 5, 2011 at 4:49 pmMade this for a family reunion this weekend and it was a big hit! Posted about it and linked back to you! http://cookingmisadventures.wordpress.com/2011/07/05/watermelon-salad/
Thanks for always sharing such great ideas!
Maureen
July 1, 2011 at 6:22 pmThese flavors together want me to get a fork and come to your house. Your food is always delicious!
Valerie
July 1, 2011 at 6:20 pmCongratulations on your Shape.com feature! Watermelon is quite underrated. It’s sweet, beautiful to look at and, I’m sure, even more delicious when paired with feta and basil.
And yes, I too have been stunned by what’s considered a serving size (especially when it comes to frozen pasta dishes that are prepared in a skillet), and I’ve had my share of chocolate chips by the handful. 🙂
You have a lovely blog!
Heather @girlichef
July 1, 2011 at 5:45 pmCongrats on the feature…that’s awesome!
Greg
July 1, 2011 at 5:30 pmThis is such a great combo and congrats on being in Shape.
Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet
July 1, 2011 at 5:18 pmI can’t seem to get past plain watermelon or made into aqua frescas. Maybe it is time. Congrats.
Carolyn
July 1, 2011 at 5:16 pmHey cool! You got Shape and I got Women’s Health. Look at us go! Congrats. You’re right, though, I would expect mint over basil. As it happens, I have both growing in my yard, maybe I should do a side by side taste test. Bet both are great.
Kay
July 1, 2011 at 4:33 pmCongrats on being in Shape magazine, I love them too! This looks delicious for a hot day like today!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
July 1, 2011 at 4:20 pmI love watermelon and that looks delish 🙂
A Plum By Any Other Name
July 1, 2011 at 4:09 pmAhh definitely one of my favorite combos. Hooray for summer!
Dishes of Mrs. Fish
July 1, 2011 at 3:53 pmYay for getting your recipe published! My husband and I love watermelon. 🙂
Erica
July 1, 2011 at 3:27 pmI have had this combination at a restaurant and it is TOTALLY amazing! Congrats on the feature!! That is so awesome (and well deserved :))
Chris motamed
July 1, 2011 at 3:05 pmI remember you made the watermelon salad when you were visiting Kiawah. It was awesome !!! Congrats on Shape Mag !!
Nic@daydreamaboutfood
July 1, 2011 at 2:58 pmWhat a great idea. I love the combinations
Three-Cookies
July 1, 2011 at 2:44 pmCongrats. The salad sounds really wonderful, sweet and salty
Nicole@HeatOvenTo350
July 1, 2011 at 2:21 pmCongrats on your recipe being in Shape. I love that magazine, too. I also love watermelon like its going out of style. A store near my has them on sale for 15 cents a pound and I just might pick up three this weekend. 🙂 Have a great 4th!
sarah
July 1, 2011 at 2:15 pmLast summer I was on a feta and watermelon kick. I think I need to revisit that, it’s so refreshing.
natalie (the sweets life)
July 1, 2011 at 2:13 pmI share your watermelon obsession–love it plain or dressed up like you have above (one of my frequent combos!).
Happy 4th!
Sarah
July 1, 2011 at 2:09 pmThis recipe really appeals to me – it looks fabulous! I really love feta with any kind of fruit.
Roz
July 1, 2011 at 1:52 pmHi Maris, I’m SOOOOO excited for you being featured on shape.com!!! Woo Hoo!!!! Watermelon, mint and feta salad is one of my faves!!! I make mine just like your but with lime juice. (great minds think alike! 🙂 ) Have a wonderful long weekend!
brandi
July 1, 2011 at 1:30 pmthis sounds fabulous! i love all the watermelon recipes I”m seeing lately. can’t wait for them to show up at our markets soon! 🙂
And congrats on the Shape.com piece! How exciting! I can’t wait to (hopefully) see some of my recipes on other online publications
Lauren@LittleYellowKitchen
July 1, 2011 at 12:54 pmCongrats! That is so awesome that your recipe is in Shape. HUGE accomplishment 🙂
yummychunklet
July 1, 2011 at 12:53 pmThis recipe looks and sounds so refreshing! Congrats on the publication!