This Sweet and Savory Dish Is a Slice of Summer!
A kiss of the grill takes this delicious and healthy dish to another dimension as summer arrives in the Coachella Valley. Nothing rings in the season like a fresh, ripe watermelon. The succulent, sweet fruit is tasty, refreshing and packed with nutrients. Watermelon Feta Salad Recipe
At Heirloom Craft Kitchen, watermelon is one of Chef Andie Hubka’s seasonal favorites. As the temperatures soar, we’ve seen the reappearance of her Grilled Watermelon and Feta Salad. Grilling fruits is something of a modern phenomenon. Chefs across the country have substituted the fruit for sushi, steak and even baked ham. Yes, seriously! “When you grill watermelon, it takes on a caramelized, almost meaty flavor,” explains Hubka. “As the water evaporates, it concentrates the flavor and sweetness.”
The plate appears with a beautiful potpourri of red, white and green. The cooking process intensifies the color of the watermelon and brands it with signature grill scores. It’s overlaid by alternating drizzles of chive oil and balsamic reduction and is then topped with a confetti of feta crumbles, pickled onions and vibrant greens. Approach this dish with a fork in one hand and camera in the other.
Approach this dish with a fork in one hand and camera in the other. Watermelon Feta Salad Recipe
The watermelon is indeed a little heartier and meatier in texture, showing its accentuated sweetness and mild grilled smokiness. That sweetness contrasts well with the saltiness of the feta, the tang of the balsamic and pickled onions and the fresh, garlicky chive oil. It’s topped off with a medley of citrusy micro cilantro.
As an off-menu special, the dish may alternate arugula and microgreens, and it’s delicious in either format. Chef Hubka really likes to explore the realms of creativity across her restaurants during watermelon season. You’ll find agua frescas and cocktails at Tu Madres Cantina & Grill, watermelon gazpacho at Cork & Fork and a watermelon burrata at Heirloom, as well as pickled watermelon toppings on tacos and salads.
EXP 9/1
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Grilled Watermelon
Feta Cheese
Arugula
Chive Oil
Balsamic Reduction
Pickled Onions
Cilantro
Salt
Look out for Hubka’s third cookbook in the fall! This one will feature Heirloom Craft Kitchen‘s recipes, including the Grilled Watermelon and Feta Salad!
Heirloom Craft Kitchen
49990 Jefferson Blvd, Ste 100
Indio, CA 92201
760.773.2233
I'm a restaurant aficionado having spent over 20 years in the industry and management.
