Watermelon Salad with Mint Vinaigrette

One of the great things about summer is the abundance of watermelon in everyone’s fridge and at every barbeque.  This simple recipe adds a classy twist to an otherwise deliciously casual fruit.  My version here is adapted from Giada De Laurentiis’ Watermelon and Cantaloupe Salad with Mint Vinaigrette.   I prefer the color of the honeydew and like how light it tastes in this salad.  I also halved the sugar as always and it is still perfectly sweet.  So, go ahead! Buy that one-millionth watermelon of the season!

Watermelon Salad with Mint Vinaigrette

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 cups watermelon, cubes (about half a watermelon)

2 cups honeydew melon, cubed (about 1 honeydew melon)

1 small bunch fresh mint leaves, chopped into ribbons

Juice of 1 lemon

¼ cup simple syrup*

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, mint and simple syrup.  In a large bowl, combine melon and pour vinaigrette over top.  Gently toss and serve in 1 cup dishes.

Optional: Serve salad in half a hollowed out watermelon for parties.

*Simple Syrup: Heat ½ cup of water and ½ cup of sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and allow syrup to cool.  Extra syrup can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts: 73 Calories, 0.3g Fat, 23mg Sodium, 300mg Potassium, 18g Carbohydrates, 1g Fiber, 1g Protein

Contains 47% Daily Value of Vitamin C (Based on 2000 calorie diet).