Pairing Cheese With Watermelon: A Refreshing Summer Treat

Watermelon is a juicy, sweet fruit that is perfect for summer. When paired with cheese, it creates a delicious salty-sweet flavour combination. Feta is a popular pairing with watermelon, with its salty, crumbly texture providing a contrast to the sweetness of the melon. Other cheeses that work well with watermelon include goat's cheese, queso fresco, ricotta salata, mozzarella, halloumi, and cottage cheese.

Feta cheese and watermelon

A watermelon feta salad is a popular salad of fresh cubed watermelon and feta cheese, drizzled with olive oil or a quick vinaigrette. The salad may have originated in Egypt and is eaten in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions and around the world. It is a great side dish to any summer meal, and the perfect dish to bring to a summer potluck, party, or BBQ.

To make a watermelon feta salad, start with a chilled watermelon. Cut the watermelon into bite-sized cubes. In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, red onion slices, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh mint. If you are going to add balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze, add it right before serving.

When choosing a watermelon, look for one that feels heavy for its size, indicating lots of juice inside. Also, look for a watermelon that has a yellow patch on the bottom, which is where it rested on the ground before being picked. If the patch is yellow, the watermelon is ripe.

When it comes to feta cheese, skip the pre-crumbled stuff and go for a block of full-fat feta cheese. This kind of feta has the best flavour. To be most authentic, avoid feta that’s made from cow’s milk. Feta from Greece (traditionally made with sheep’s milk) has incredible flavour if you can find it.

Watermelon and goat's cheese

For an easy, no-cook appetizer, cut 1"-1.5" thick slices of watermelon into circles or squares. Hollow out a little half-round in the centre and pipe in (or spoon) some goat's cheese. Garnish with cucumber and a squeeze of lime. This simple, tasty dish is perfect for a summer gathering and can be made a day in advance.

Whether served as an appetizer or a salad, watermelon and goat's cheese is a unique and refreshing combination that's perfect for hot summer days.

Watermelon and queso fresco

One way to enjoy watermelon and queso fresco is in a refreshing summer salad. This can be made by combining cubed watermelon with other ingredients such as jicama, cilantro, basil, lime zest, chives, scallions, and jalapeño. The queso fresco is crumbled over the top, along with fresh mint, and the salad is dressed with olive oil, lime juice, and lemon juice. This dish can be served immediately or chilled for a short time before serving.

When crumbling the queso fresco, it is best to use a fork to achieve the perfect texture. This method creates a mix of large and small pieces, ensuring that each bite of the salad is coated in delicious cheese. It is also important to add salt and pepper just before serving, as salt can draw out the liquid and make the salad soggy if added too far in advance.

For a spicy kick, chilli powder, cayenne pepper, or fresh jalapeño can be added to the salad. This gives the dish an extra dimension of flavour and a little bit of heat.

Another variation on the watermelon and queso fresco salad includes arugula, olive oil, red wine vinegar, shallots, black pepper, and chiles de arbol. This combination creates a slightly different flavour profile while still highlighting the sweet and salty contrast between the watermelon and cheese.

Watermelon and ricotta salata

Ricotta salata is a salted dry ricotta cheese that can be used in place of feta in salads. It pairs well with watermelon, especially in a summer salad.

Ingredients

• Seedless watermelon, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• Ricotta salata, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• Pine nuts, toasted
• Fresh basil, thinly sliced
• Lime juice
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

Whisk the lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl to make a dressing. Place the watermelon and ricotta salata in a medium serving bowl. Drizzle with the dressing and toss. Sprinkle with pine nuts and basil, and serve.

Variations

Some variations on this recipe include adding shaved ricotta salata, red onion, and arugula. The addition of mint is also recommended, as is a drizzle of honey.

Watermelon and halloumi

A fresh and light summer salad, watermelon and halloumi is a delicious combination of flavours and textures. This unique pairing brings together the rich, savoury taste of halloumi with the juicy sweetness of watermelon, creating a mouthwatering contrast that is sure to tantalise your taste buds.

Ingredients:

• Halloumi cheese
• Watermelon
• Fresh mint
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional ingredients include:

• Toasted pitta breads
• Sliced almonds
• Fresh basil
• Lime zest
• Red wine vinegar
• Garlic
• Shallots
• Honey

Preparation:

Start by cutting the halloumi cheese and watermelon into slices or cubes. If you're making skewers, thread the halloumi and watermelon onto your skewers, with about three pieces of watermelon to one piece of halloumi. Drizzle or brush the skewers with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Grill the halloumi and watermelon until golden and slightly charred. You can grill them separately or together, depending on your preference. If grilling separately, you can place the grilled halloumi on top of the watermelon slices or cubes.

For a salad, toss the watermelon with the remaining ingredients, including mint, lemon juice, olive oil, and seasoning. Layer the grilled halloumi on top or serve it separately with the watermelon on the side.

For an extra flavour boost, you can also make a minted basil oil to drizzle over the skewers or salad. To make the minted basil oil, blanch basil and mint leaves, then blend them with lime zest, olive oil, and salt until smooth and green.

Serving Suggestions:

Frequently asked questions