Saturday, June 21, 2008

Grilled Watermelon Salad

The summer season demands that you eat watermelon. Nibbling chilly watermelon slices saturated with sweetness seems indulgent as you devour slice after slice on a heat-drenched summer day. Its juicy nature and bright color make it a natural superstar at an outdoor barbecue. But have you ever thrown it on the grill? Watermelon caramelizes ever so slightly when it's briefly grilled-- who knew?

Grilled watermelon is the best discovery since goat cheese. Add those together and you've got a salad: Grilled Watermelon Salad.

It makes for a pretty presentation and an impressive salad to serve to guests. The simple combination of watermelon, goat cheese, greens and balsamic just works.

This is my new favorite salad... the hit of the summer (and it's only just the beginning!) Amaze your friends and family by grilling up some watermelon. It's easier than you might think.

This recipe can be found HERE.
at

51 comments:

  1. ManggyJune 21, 2008 at 4:50 AM

    Great presentation, Lori! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mike of Mike's TableJune 21, 2008 at 5:22 AM

    I've heard good things about grilling watermelon, but never tried it. I love what you did with it though--I would have thrown it on the grill, put it on a plate, and said "hmmm, now what?"

    ReplyDelete
  3. JennyJune 21, 2008 at 5:28 AM

    Cool, I've never grilled watermelon, but it sounds like a terrific idea! Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Susan @ SGCCJune 21, 2008 at 6:17 AM

    What a great idea! I've never had grilled watermelon, but it sounds just delicious. It looks really pretty too. It would go great with my strawberry soup! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Peter MJune 21, 2008 at 6:50 AM

    too have never grilled watermelon either but I just might start to.

    The presentation is WOW and Greeks have enjoyed feta and watermelon for ages.

    PS. You're gonna love the grilled halloumi!

    ReplyDelete
  6. SharonJune 21, 2008 at 8:01 AM

    I've never had it grilled, but now I'm intrigued. Great plating,it looks beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJune 21, 2008 at 8:11 AM

    I agree - who knew? What a fantastic summer salad idea!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lori LynnJune 21, 2008 at 8:13 AM

    That is so pretty. I love how you place the watermelon in the corners of the plate, very clever!

    Perfect post for the Summer Solstice!

    P.S. Mitsuwa Marketplace, San Diego store, is right off the 163 freeway, or I-805.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJune 21, 2008 at 8:24 AM

    Genius! I love the look. This is one to try this summer!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Meandering EatsJune 21, 2008 at 8:55 AM

    Great pictures! With watermelon typically being huge and only two of us to wade our way through it, I'm interested in all ways to prepare it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. NicoleJune 21, 2008 at 9:21 AM

    This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! A work of art! I will have to try it.

    Here is a question for you... HOW do you pick a GOOD watermelon???? I feel it is so hit and miss for me! Half the time it is not juicy or mushy and pithy.

    ReplyDelete
  12. RecipeGirlJune 21, 2008 at 9:28 AM

    Lori Lynn- wow- thank you!! I had no idea that we had that marketplace in San Diego. I will most definitely be checking that out.

    Nicole- thanks! I have no idea how to pick a good watermelon. I believe it's always hit or miss with me. Sometimes I buy the half watermelons so I can see the inside to see if they're juicy looking or not.

    ReplyDelete
  13. BrilynnJune 21, 2008 at 9:55 AM

    Oh that looks delicious and I love the presentation!

    ReplyDelete
  14. MelanieJune 21, 2008 at 10:15 AM

    Grilled watermelon is totally new to me...who knew? It looks delicious and the presentation is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  15. CakespyJune 21, 2008 at 11:50 AM

    OH my goodness!! When I was just in NYC I went out to dinner with Ann and Co. of Redacted Recipes--and we had a similar salad! It was completely delicious!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Mama MiaJune 21, 2008 at 11:51 AM

    beautiful photos! Looks like such a lovely salad to serve at summer BBQs!

    ReplyDelete
  17. EmilyJune 21, 2008 at 12:49 PM

    I love watermelon and feta salad! This one looks delicious. I've never tried grilling it before..

    ReplyDelete
  18. PamelaJune 21, 2008 at 1:06 PM

    Great pictures and a tasty looking idea. I don't even like watermelon and I'm tempted. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Proud Italian CookJune 21, 2008 at 1:28 PM

    Lori, love this! I'm curious to try this, I just so happen to have feta, watermelon, and arugula, I know I'll love it though! Great for my BBQ tomarrow. p.s. I still can't get you in my reader, I'm so
    frustrated!! I have no idea what I'm doing wrong!

    ReplyDelete
  20. test it commJune 21, 2008 at 1:54 PM

    I like the sound of grilling watermelon. I will have to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. LauraJune 21, 2008 at 9:00 PM

    Boy this is the It salad of the summer, so many people are loving it, I must give it a try. When I mentioned grilling watermelon to my husband, though, he was not very enthused. I, however, am not a huge fan of plain old watermelon, so I think it sounds like a wonderful idea.

    ReplyDelete
  22. My Sweet & SaucyJune 21, 2008 at 9:05 PM

    Wow I've never had a watermelon salad...what a clever idea!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nina TimmJune 22, 2008 at 12:30 AM

    You are just such a genius you know!!!That plating deserves a medal and the food combination is mouthwatering.Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  24. DitaJune 22, 2008 at 12:30 AM

    woowww never thought before, you could grill the watermelon. Such a smart idea :). And I bet it's so refreshing!

    ReplyDelete
  25. LizNoVeggieGirlJune 22, 2008 at 5:17 AM

    I will gladly obey the law of eating watermelon all summer long; especially in that marvelous grilled salad of yours - yum!

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousJune 22, 2008 at 5:47 AM

    I love this!!! Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Jersey Girl CooksJune 22, 2008 at 6:10 AM

    Awesome idea! I will be making this soon!

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousJune 22, 2008 at 7:01 AM

    Interesting. I love watermelon salad but I've never grilled it before. I bet it's delicious. I will definitely try it.

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousJune 22, 2008 at 9:40 AM

    I had a very similar combination served as an "amuse bouche" last summer, I was surprised at how delicious it was. Your presentation is fantastic.
    I also had watermelon wrapped in proscuitto and grilled. It too was surprisingly tasty - yet less refined then your recipe, for sure. Great summertime recipe, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousJune 22, 2008 at 9:53 AM

    this is wonderful! What a great idea and so perfect for summer! I'm gonna go get a watermelon and try it out. Love goat cheese!

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousJune 22, 2008 at 11:19 AM

    That is a gorgeous salad! I love grilled fruit, but have never tried it with watermelon. Mmmmm!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Chef JeenaJune 22, 2008 at 12:55 PM

    Fantastic it looks so elegant!

    You are so right about watermelons in summer, I crave watermelon during summer to rehydrate. :-D

    ReplyDelete
  33. HeatherJune 22, 2008 at 7:07 PM

    mmm, how beautiful! this sounds delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Simply...Gluten-freeJune 22, 2008 at 8:18 PM

    Beautiful, great presentation.

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousJune 22, 2008 at 10:17 PM

    Seriously RecipeGirl, who knew? This looks amazing. I never would have thought to grill watermelon, but I can imagine it being a wonderful preparation. i'm siked to try it. such a cute presentation, too.

    ReplyDelete
  36. the southern hostessJune 22, 2008 at 11:04 PM

    What a fantastic idea! I've been eating way too much watermelon recently. This gives me something fun to do with my favorite fruit.

    ReplyDelete
  37. PaulaJune 23, 2008 at 12:16 AM

    I'm a first time visitor to your blog and, WOW!, your photos and recipes make a great first impression. Your food presentation looks amazing and I've got to try your carnitas recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  38. graceJune 23, 2008 at 7:29 AM

    for the life of me, i can't figure out why salt and watermelon taste so darn good together. i tend to really enjoy salt on my melon (oddly enough, just watermelon, not honeydew or cantaloupe or any other), so i'm not extremely surprised that cheese is a nice addition. hooray for new favorites!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Fitness FoodieJune 23, 2008 at 7:47 AM

    That is very interesting and unique. I have a large watermelon at home and have no idea what to do with it. Maybe I will try this tonight. Thanks, I love new ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Jessy and her dog WinnieJune 23, 2008 at 8:21 AM

    Wow that is such a cool idea!

    ReplyDelete
  41. DazianoJune 23, 2008 at 11:50 AM

    Wow, I'm glad to have found someone who likes watermelon and goat cheese like me!!! And basil is a really good partner for that combination too!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Honeyed HashetteJune 23, 2008 at 12:39 PM

    I WANT SOME RIGHT NOW!
    I've never had grilled watermelon, but it sounds spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
  43. AnonymousJune 23, 2008 at 2:25 PM

    This is one of my all-time favorite summer salads. It seems like such a "grown-up" treatment of watermelon, but my little girls beg me to make it all season.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Obsessive Foodie or Food Addict....You DecideJune 23, 2008 at 6:56 PM

    GREAT Pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  45. AnonymousJune 24, 2008 at 1:11 PM

    Lori: This looks absolutely delicious (not to mention gorgeous). I'll definitely be giving it a try.

    ReplyDelete
  46. ElleJune 25, 2008 at 5:56 PM

    Genius! and that second photo is stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  47. arcadian~beautyJune 25, 2008 at 8:21 PM

    Wow, would have never thought of grilling watermellon. It's my favorite fruit! :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. AnonymousJune 26, 2008 at 2:28 PM

    That is one good looking salad! I love how you've arranged the plate!

    ReplyDelete
  49. AnonymousJune 26, 2008 at 2:33 PM

    I love to grill all kinds of fruit in the summer months. So far my favorite are mango and pineapple. I'll definitely have to give the watermelon a try! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  50. AnonymousJune 26, 2008 at 7:22 PM

    If you don't already know about the website Cook Think's Root Source Challenge contest, you should definitely head over and enter this great recipe into their Watermelon challenge! The contest ends on July 1st!

    http://www.cookthink.com/blog/?p=1006

    ReplyDelete
  51. Nate @ House of AnnieAugust 6, 2008 at 10:07 AM

    Wow, nice design.

    Do you have to have the grill grates completely clean before you grill the watermelon? I'm afraid about getting burned bits of whatever was grilled last affecting the flavor of the watermelon.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for hanging out here! Your feedback is much appreciated :)