Stacked Watermelon Salad
This unusual Stacked Watermelon Salad is so fun to serve at a party, and it’s easy to prepare!
The diet commercials have hit the airwaves, so now we know the holidays are truly over until next year.
Yes, I admit I am trying to drop a few pounds, and maybe you are too (unless you’re one of those people who somehow manages to only eat a few cookies during the holidays, skip the bread at the buffet line, and restrain yourself from going back for seconds. If you’re one of those people, you must share your secrets in the comments section because many of us are just confused about how that’s possible).
One thing that I simply cannot do is follow one of those diets where all you eat is carrots and celery for two weeks. I would have so much trouble sticking to any of the super restrictive diets because they’re just so boring! Eating a little better doesn’t mean you need to pretend you don’t have tastebuds. I promise you can have interesting and tasty food, that’s a bit lighter too.
When I was invited to develop a salad recipe for this month’s Kitchen Play Progressive Party, I was really excited to find out that the star ingredient was watermelon, sponsored by the National Watermelon Promotion Board. Usually when you think of watermelon salad you expect to have chunks of watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew together. But watermelon is wonderful when enjoyed in a savory way too. Here you take a big block of watermelon, spread the top with some goat cheese, add some pistachios for crunch, some thinly shaved red onion on top, and dip it in a little bit of a balsamic reduction. It’s on the lighter side, but it’s still delicious, fills you up without filling you out, and the presentation is a total knockout. I would definitely serve this at a nice dinner or a party.
Oh, and just for simplicity’s sake, make sure to get a seedless watermelon, so it cuts really easily. The average seeded watermelon has 300 seeds, and you don’t want to spend too much time poking them all out with a chopstick (oh, the childhood memories).
Stacked Watermelon Salad
Ingredients
- Four 2x2x2-inch watermelon squares or circles
- 1/2 cup good quality goat cheese
- 1/2 cup roasted salted pistachios chopped
- 1/8 cup shaved or thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Spread the watermelon squares with a thin 1/4-inch layer of goat cheese. If the goat cheese you’re using is crumbly or difficult to spread, heat it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds and it should spread easily, like cake frosting.
- Top the goat cheese with a layer of chopped pistachios, and top each square with 1/4 of the shaved red onion.
- Turn the balsamic vinegar into a reduction by cooking it in a saucepan set over medium high heat until it has thickened and turned syrupy. Keep your eye on it, as it reduces very slowly at first, and thickens up quickly at the end (and can burn in a matter of seconds). Drizzle the balsamic reduction over the watermelon and the plate. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
Disclosure: I developed this recipe as part of the January Kitchen Play Progressive Party, sponsored by the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
39 Comments on “Stacked Watermelon Salad”
Have a good breakfast, have lunch and have an early dinner. For dinner have it a little early so you have time to digest it before you sleep, avoid snacking or have supper. If you must, some crackers or hot chocolate should be able to get you through the night. And do a little jogging or swimming too.
So it is not restrictive, eat and be merry, but do not eat too late thats all =)
By the way, awesome recipe. Looks classy, yet so simple.
That’s a beautiful presentation. I can only imagine all those flavors together, it sounds perfect!
fun idea and beautiful presentation! I’ve had watermelon and feta which was nice, but I think goat cheese would make a fantastic fit! 🙂
Ooooh I have GOT to try this, but with seedless watermelon 🙂
Goat cheese is so good and I get on watermelon, it’s just the perfect tang to the sweet; creamy against juicy – great combo!
So perfectly you! Gorgeous!
This watermelon salad looks so good and super easy too! Loved this.
This Stacked Watermelon Salad is so pretty. I love the flavor and texture combination. Can’t wait to give this a try.
This is just gorgeous!
How pretty – what a great idea for a salad!
I am all about eating a little better, but it better taste good 🙂
What a fun idea for a salad!
Joanne, that is stunning! I LOVE watermelon with goat cheese and your presentation is stellar!
OMG – I can’t stop staring at this dish … Your pic is gorgeous!!!
How beautiful! I love the taste of watermelon and goat cheese together. I just bought both of them at the store yesterday, and I have pistachios in the freezer. I’ll try these this afternoon and let you know how they turned out. You know, the colors here are almost the same as Alabama’s football team. I might just make these for the football party. Gotta show that team spirit!!!!
Adorable! What a great festive and unique party idea. I love it!
That is such an amazing idea for a salad. Super creative and perfect for tiny healthy bites at a party too.