Description
A festive and refreshing Watermelon, Feta, and Mint Christmas Wreath Salad that's perfect for holiday gatherings, combining sweet watermelon, tangy feta, fresh mint, and a zesty honey-lime dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Watermelon Wreath:
- 1 kg watermelon - prepared weight, trimmed of rind, chilled
- 6 sprigs fresh mint leaves - leaves picked
- 100 g Greek feta cheese - roughly crumbled
For the Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoon honey
- Freshly ground black pepper - optional
Instructions
- Wash the Watermelon: Wash the rind of the watermelon thoroughly to remove any dirt or bacteria before cutting, either under running water if whole or wiping with a damp paper towel if pre-cut.
- Cut the Watermelon: Slice the watermelon into 1 cm (0.5 inch) thick slices, then cut into approximately 4.5 cm (1.5 inch) squares and diagonally into triangles. Discard the rind.
- Prepare Watermelon Stars: Use the neater watermelon offcuts with a small star cookie cutter to cut 12 stars for the top of the wreath. Set aside any leftover watermelon for later eating.
- Assemble the Wreath: Arrange the watermelon triangles around the perimeter of a large platter, placing mint leaves among the pieces to create a wreath effect.
- Add Stars and Feta: Place the watermelon stars on top of the wreath arrangement and sprinkle the crumbled Greek feta cheese evenly over the salad.
- Make the Dressing: Combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, and honey in a small bowl, mixing well. Adjust to taste.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad and add freshly ground black pepper if desired. Serve immediately for best freshness and texture.
Notes
- Chill the watermelon fully before use to keep it crisp and refreshing.
- Use a standard Australian tablespoon measurement of 20 ml; if elsewhere, substitute with 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon per tablespoon.
- Avoid making the salad too far in advance as watermelon loses crispness; prepare components separately and assemble just before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 24 hours; watermelon may release water and mint may darken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
