Here’s a simple dinner idea for the final weeks of summer, before the kids go back to school and grill tools retire to the shed – Grilled Watermelon Salad with goat cheese, toasted pine nuts, and balsamic reduction.
It’s light, refreshing, and delicious with a savory-sweet mix of flavors and textures.
What You’ll Need (aka ‘ingredients’)
Watermelon
Dark Leafy Greens
Goat Cheese
Pine Nuts
Olive Oil (to toast pine nuts)
Balsamic Vinegar (to make Balsamic Reduction)
Sea Salt
Fresh Ground Pepper
Let’s Do It (aka ‘recipe’)
Cut seedless watermelon into squares. Brush a light coat of olive oil, and grill the watermelon on a hot grill for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes per side. You want the grill marks, but make sure not to burn. Sprinkle with a little sea salt and place over top of leafy, dark greens. Crumble goat cheese over top.
To add a nutty, smoky flavor and a little more substance, add toasted pine nuts. To toast the pine nuts, simply coat hot pan with olive oil. Let pine nuts brown for about 2 minutes, but make sure to shake the pan every 30 seconds or so. Add the toasted pine nuts to the top of the salad.
To reduce the Balsamic Vinegar, just heat in a hot pan. When it begins to boil, keep whisking until it is reduced by half. Drizzle the Balsamic Reduction over top of the salad.
Bonus Health Benefits
Watermelon : packed with antioxidants such as lycopene, and Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin B. This is a super-food that will give us great energy, heart protection, cell protection, and it’s a mood booster.
Pine Nuts : these little nutritional powerhouses are filled with protein, fiber, potassium, and are considered a “heart healthy” food. They also have antioxidants to help protect cells from free radical damage. PLUS they are very filling, and are known to suppress appetite.
Balsamic Vinegar : made of sweet grape pressings, balsamic vinegar is known to aid digestion and help control diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity. Another antioxidant, balsamic is said to improve the immune system and increase energy.
