Watermelon Salad ©Disney
Disney World Recipe: Watermelon Salad
This cold salad has become a perennial favorite of mine at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival the past few years. It’s sweet, tangy, and acidic all in one bite. Skip the onions and use a quality bottled balsamic for a quick and easy version. Perfect for a summer picnic.
Balsamic Vinaigrette
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons finely diced shallots
2 tablespoons roasted garlic*
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pickled Onions
1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons grenadine syrup
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 pound red onions, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rings
Watermelon Salad
4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
3 cups baby arugula
1/4 cup white balsamic vinaigrette
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup pickled onion
1/4 cup balsamic glaze*
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Preparation for balsamic vinaigrette:
1. Combine white balsamic vinegar, shallots, garlic, honey, and lemon juice in a blender. Blend until well combined.
2. With blender running, slowly drizzle in olive oil. Blend until thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Preparation for pickled onions:
1. If using frozen raspberries, thaw. Purée raspberries in a food processor. Pour purée through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard seeds; set puree aside.
2. Combine raspberry purée, water, sugar, grenadine, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar.
3. Add onions; stir to coat, then remove from heat. Set aside 20 minutes.
Preparation for watermelon salad:
1. Divide watermelon among plates. Toss arugula with white balsamic vinaigrette in a medium bowl and lightly season with salt & pepper.
2. Top each portion of watermelon with arugula. Top each serving with 2 to 3 picked onion rings, then sprinkle with feta. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Cook’s Note: Balsamic glaze can be found in most supermarkets on the oil and vinegar aisle. To make your own, place 2 cups balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and simmer until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 40 minutes.
Recipe courtesy Disney Insider Blog
