What does salad mean to you? Is it a pile of veggies? A few simple ones? Clean, raw, or roasted? Maybe marinated? Full of flavour, of course yes. Nutrient-dense, that's a given. But not the reason we eat them. (Or maybe for some, it is.) What about fruit? There is nothing like a zing of something sweet in the midst of a flavourfest of salty coupled with crunchy and punchy. That's what this salad is. And yes, you can quote me on that. On Day 9, I chose this a day to celebrate the fruity side of delicious salads, namely Watermelon.
Kiddo gets a deconstructed version, minus the onions.
This Watermelon, Feta and Arugula salad from Shared Appetite is an easy peasy lemon squeezie addition to any meal. The balsamic reduction is divine. (I've always wanted to try my hand at making some - couldn't be simpler. AND TASTIER. See what I do for you? Learn new tricks.) I used one of my new favourites in my pantry, the Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar from Blue Door Oil & Vinegar here in yyc. Wowza. This is where you get the punchy; the flavour is so full! And you only need a little!
I used a super salty goat feta from Shaganappi Grocer, a tip from my good friend Liz who is one of the best foodies I know. If you have never been to this store that specializes in Middle Eastern specialties, you must head to the SW corner of 17th and 36th, in the SW of Calgary.
The recipe calls for pickled onions, and it just so turns out that I have a small reserve of fermented red onions I did back last fall. They were certainly up to the task, and gave a nice bite with edge to the whole mix.
They do lose their kick of colour, but gain probiotic power in the meantime.
Thanks to the blog Shared Appetite for this incredible salad, my most favourite one yet this month. You'll find the link at the end of the post. You don't need much of the balsamic reduction, and I recommend drizzling it on with a spoon before it completely cools, as mine got quite thick I wonder how I would have gotten it on the salad in thin enough strands to not over-power and look messy. This is one beautiful easy salad. My kinda meal. (Along with bacon from local superstars TK Ranch and eggs from Bluemountain Biodynamic Farms which were the sides. I love an easy supper. You?)
Pardon my photographic ineptitude. I was too hungry to notice the shadow. Know that it still tasted delicious.