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–+ servings
watermelon salad

Watermelon Salad with Sugared Pecans and Blue Cheese

Servings

8 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.