Watermelon and feta puzzles
Now that the Lithuanian cuisine editorial is finished, it’s time to look up at some new exiting things. Actually, after few months of posting dishes I cooked all the way back in February, it’s somewhat strange to be posting today a treat I’ve made barely a week ago.
I don’t usually like to give into cooking hypes or tendencies that flare the web, but I’ve been seeing so much of watermelon and feta marriages out there since last summer, that after a good year of hesitations decide to give it try.
A year is quite a bit of time to consider something, I know, but I’ve always envisioned watermelon as a dessert or just as a stand-alone juicy snack, so the thought of it in a savory context was a little weird.
Anyhow, I’ve did some tasting batches of watermelon and feta, and what do you know it works! The freshness of the watermelon plays beautifully with the saltiness of feta, but the addition of basil and good quality balsamic are essential.
They just make the dish: both basil and balsamic add such level of complexity to the taste that you wouldn’t believe it took barely 5 ingredients to make it.
One important note when bringing watermelon and feta together, something I’ve discovered only after we shot these gorgeous puzzles, which were completely Ieva’s idea, is that the proportion of watermelon to feta should be 2/3 to 1/3 at most. In fact, there can be even less of feta.
The reason behind it is that feta has such strong and intense flavor that it doesn’t take much of it to spice up the watermelon, so if you’d be attempted to construct these puzzles, do add another thick layer of watermelon to balance it all out.
- ½ medium watermelon
- 100 grams feta cheese
- handful fresh basil leaves
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- pinch of freshly grounded black pepper
- Either in a mortar pestle or a blender combine the olive oil, basil and pepper to a pasty oil and divide between 4 plates, placing a spoonful on the bottom.
- Cut the watermelon and feta cheese into equal cubes and arrange them on the plate, add more watermelon than feta. Otherwise, just cut the watermelon divide between the plates and crumble feta on top.
- Drizzle a teaspoon (or more if you’d like to) of balsamic vinegar on top and enjoy!
A great idea! Wonderful.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks Rosa!
So clever! Great presentation that I will have to steal the next time I serve this. Amazing how good this combo is together. Buzzed!!
Indeed, I never thought these two could taste so good, and their so easy to make! Thank you so much for stopping by
I love watermelon with feta, what a great new way to present the duo!
Thanks Laura
What a stunning presentation! I love the combination of flavors too, this is genius!
The combo of watermelon and feta is so cute and delicious here
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
For a second I thought those were tomatoes from the photo and I was sad, because I’m not a huge fan of raw tomatoes. But watermelon? I can totally get behind that. These puzzles look like they have great flavor and texture!
This looks beautiful! And is so so perfect for summer!
Ok, that is a great and beautiful way to serve an appy. Love it.
Great salad. Light and refreshing. I thought that was pesto but even better because it’s faster to prepare. Thanks for sharing!
I love the watermelon cheese combination but never thought of serving it in a puzzle form
this looks and sounds amazing
What an interesting idea…the combination of flavors, the cubic arrangement – very creative!
What a creative presentation for a simple appetizer. Takes it to another level!
I’m on your site first time today. Checking out your collection of recipes (only the vegetarian ones though!)
This looks elegant and refreshing! It’s a perfect summer party treat! Blessings to you, your friend, Catherine
What a fun way to present this summery plate. Great idea!
This is so pretty!! I must check this new combination of feta and watermelon!
Such a beautiful presenation – I’ve never tried watermelon and feta together before. I’m the same as you – not liking to give into fads and trends, but sometimes something sticks in your head, even after a year or so, and then I think it’s really worth giving it a try!
i’ve yet to try the watermeon and feta combination, it is probably about time to do that! i love love love the presentation, such a fun idea!
Wow is all I can say. I know it tastes as good as it looks. Come and visit us on Friday. We are having a great giveaway. Flip flops that you will love.
What a fantastic pairing – it’s like a salad but a piece of art at the same time! I’m featuring this post in today’s Food Fetish Friday (with a link-back and attribution). I hope you have no objections and always excited to see what you’ll create next…
The watermelon/feta pairing is a normal Greek islander food. My pappy was born in the Greek islands and this was part of my normal food in the summer as a kid. It’s one of my favorite things to eat.
I love the symmetry…Wonderfully presented. This is a great summer treat!
I’ll try to make the puzzles but forgive me if I crap out and just toss it all in a bowl with the herbs.
This looks great.
I love the watermelon and feta combo. In the summer I make a watermelon and feta salad often. These little puzzles are absolutely beautiful!Such an impressive way to serve this!
The Rubik’s Cube of appetizers — LOVE it!
You just elevated the typical fruit & cheese plate to new heights! Never in a million years would I have thought to dress watermelon with balsamic and basil either, but I’m sooooo glad there’s a first time for everything. Thank you for your creativity!
Clever and then some. I see a lot of smiling diners at your house. GREG
sooo cool! Love this idea. You are beyond creative. watermelon is a favorite of mine in the summertime and can’t wait to try this
I just love the way this looks!
What a gorgeous way to present this delicious salad! Looks absolutely stunning!
LOVE this presentation!
these are tooo cute!
This looks delicious! I am looking forward to trying it. But did you mean to recommend a watermelon to feta ratio of 3/1 or 3/2 and not 1/3 or 2/3? Because right now, you are saying one or two parts watermelon to 3 parts feta.
Thanks!
Hi Lydia, so sorry for the confusion in the recipe: it’s meant to be about 3 parts of watermelon to 1 part feta.This is of course quite taste specific, so I’d recommend trying a bit before to see what works best for you! Good luck cooking and thanks so much for stopping by