Name: Watermelon Salad with Sugared Pecans and Blue Cheese
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon butter; 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar; ¾ cup pecan halves (coarsely chopped); 6-8 cups mixed baby greens or arugula (roughly chopped); 2½-3 pounds watermelon (quartered lengthwise and cut crosswise into ¾-inch-thick cubes); ½ cup blue cheese (crumbled); ½ small red onion (halved and thinly sliced); ¼ cup seedless raspberry jam; ¼ cup cranberry juice; 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar; 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Watermelon Salad with Sugared Pecans and Blue Cheese

The combination of watermelon with blue cheese may seem strange at first – but with one
bite, the salty-sweet contrasts will be immediately understood…and loved!

Watermelon Salad with Sugared Pecans and Blue Cheese

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Servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
¾ cup pecan halves coarsely chopped
6-8 cups mixed baby greens or arugula roughly chopped
2½-3 pounds watermelon quartered lengthwise and cut crosswise into ¾-inch-thick cubes
½ cup blue cheese crumbled
½ small red onion halved and thinly sliced
¼ cup seedless raspberry jam
¼ cup cranberry juice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Candy pecans: Melt butter in a heavy medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sugar and stir to blend. Add nuts and stir to coat. (Butter may separate.) Transfer to a plate and cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Assemble: Place greens in a large bowl with vinaigrette to coat, reserving a few tablespoons vinaigrette. Divide salad among individual plates. Gently place watermelon cubes on each plate and sprinkle with cheese, red onion and sugared nuts. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette.
Raspberry Vinaigrette
Pureé jam, juice and vinegars in a blender until smooth. With machine running, gradually add oil. Season with salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Cook’s Tip – Gorgonzola cheese or feta cheese are great options as blue cheese substitutions.
Simpligy – Substitute purchased honey-glazed pecans for the sugared pecans. Use purchased raspberry vinaigrette – add 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and mix well.