Blue Watermelon Walnut Salad
Caution – this salad can become an addiction!
(That is the disclaimer that came with this salad from watermelon.org.) I believe them.
Now, I do not have wonderful pictures of this salad because when cooking for Sheila’s party, it was hard to have time to take pictures.
The Blue Watermelon Walnut Salad is the salad in the upper left on the plate. It is the one on the baby greens that are topped with all kinds of goodness.
Blue Watermelon Walnut Salad is easy, and what extra prep that is needed can be done ahead of time. I tell you the truth. When you serve this salad, you will feel like a gourmet cook. When you eat this salad, you will feel like you are dining in a fine restaurant. And you can say – “I did it myself!”
I tried to recreate the ingredients for you: Baby Greens, sliced strawberries, sectioned oranges, sliced grapes, cubed watermelon, candied walnuts, blue cheese crumbles, and balsamic reduction. Fresh and so divine!
The candied walnuts are made by heating the walnuts in a skillet with sugar and a little soy sauce until they begin to get sticky. Spread them on a tray to cool. and then break apart into small pieces. Yummy!
The balsamic syrup is so easy. Heat inexpensive balsamic vinegar with sugar and a sprig of fresh rosemary until the vinegar is reduced by about half. That is it, and this heavenly dressing is delicious on so many things. Some eat it on ice cream (really!). It is delicious on watermelon or strawberries served on their own. A little of this dressing goes a long way.
To make the salad, it is so simple. Combine greens, orange slices, strawberries, grapes, and watermelon. Sprinkle the Blue Cheese crumbles and candied walnuts over the top of the salad. I passed the balsamic dressing on the side.
The candied walnuts and balsamic reduction were made the day before the party – easy peasy!
I honestly believe that you could just use strawberries or watermelon on the salad, and it would be delicious, but the fruit mixture does add interest.
Blessings to you and yours,
I wanted to be sure to post this recipe so I would not lose it. I like it. I love it.
Blue Watermelon Walnut Salad
By Published: July 11, 2014
- Yield: 6-8 Servings
This recipe from watermelon.org can be addictive. It is made with baby greens that are topped with orange slices, sliced strawberries, halved grapes, watermelon, blue cheese, and sugared walnuts. What is not to like?
Ingredients
- 1 cups walnut pieces
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 cups balsamic vinegar inexpensive will work
- 1 cups sugar I used less
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 4 ounces fresh baby greens
- 2 seedless oranges sectioned
- 4 cups seedless watermelon cubed
- 2 cups seedless grapes halved
- 2 cups strawberries trimmed and sliced
- 1 cups Blue Cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Heat the walnuts in a seasoned wok or heavy non-stick stick sauté pan over medium heat for a minute. Stir in sugar and soy sauce. Constantly stir the nuts until the sugar melts. You may have to adjust the heat to prevent burning. Continue to stir and cook until the nuts begin to stick and the mixture is getting sticky. Spread the nuts over a sheet of waxed or parchment paper and cool. Break apart into small pieces and crumble. Set aside.
- Heat the vinegar in a heavy not-corrosive saucepan over medium heat and stir in sugar. Continue to stir and adjust heat to bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the rosemary sprig to the pan. Continue to simmer until the contents of the pan reduces by 1/2 its original volume. Set aside.
- Divide the greens among 6 or 8 salad plates and arrange the orange sections, watermelon, grapes, and strawberries over the greens. Drizzle the balsamic syrup over the fruit and add the Blue Cheese crumbles over that. top with the candied walnut pieces and serve.
- I served the balsamic syrup on the side.
- Enjoy!
- Course: Salad