Want to make a splash at your next summer catering event? Try serving this juicy watermelon mint salad! With just a few minutes of prep time and some quality ingredients from your fruit wholesale distributor, you’ll have a side dish that will steal the show. Keep reading to learn how to make and serve this delicious dish.
Making the Salad
This recipe for watermelon mint salad feeds four people. Size it up as needed to feed everyone at the event.
To make this salad, you’ll need:
- 1 watermelon (around 9lbs or 3 quarts when cubed)
- ¼ cup of mint leaves
- ¼ cup of basil leaves
- 8 ounces of feta cheese
- 4 ounces of fresh arugula leaves
- Sea salt and pepper
Steps
- Peel the rind off of the watermelon and slice the fruit into ¾-inch cubes. Measure out 3 quarts of cubes using a kitchen scale and store any leftovers in the fridge.
- Toss the cubes in your chosen dressing (see below) and add a sprinkle of sea salt to help the fruit release its juices.
- Slice the feta into small pieces and add it to the watermelon cubes along with the mint and basil.
- Fold in the arugula leaves and finish the salad with some freshly ground black pepper to taste.
This salad tastes best when served immediately. If you can’t prepare the whole thing on-site, do the first three steps ahead of time and toss the arugula in just before serving to keep it crisp and fresh.
Making the Dressing
This salad’s light and fruity flavor profile may rule out many common dressings, but chefs do have some flexibility when deciding how to serve it.
Most keep it simple, opting to mix a few tablespoons of olive oil and some lemon or lime juice into a very basic dressing. This combo is easy to stir up on the fly and enhances the bright flavors of the watermelon. Be sure to use quality extra-virgin olive oil from your foodservice distributors.
Some add a tablespoon or two of agave, honey, or maple syrup to the mixture to sweeten it up. Be careful not to overdo it if you choose to do so as well. It doesn’t take much of these ingredients to make the dish taste more like a dessert than a side.
If you’d prefer to lean into the dish’s savory side, you can add 2 to 3 tablespoons of aged balsamic vinegar to the olive oil and citrus juice instead. Some chefs even add a pinch of garlic to further enhance these complex flavors.
What to Serve with It
Some restaurants add watermelon mint salad to their summer sides menu and let customers order it with any main dish. If you’re interested in serving it alongside a specific dish, though, you have plenty of options to choose from. Here are just a few of the most popular pairing options:
- Rich, savory lamb chops
- Tangy balsamic chicken
- Marinated grilled chicken or shrimp skewers
- Sweet glazed barbecue pork back ribs
- Spicy lamb or beef koftas
Most summer dishes and dishes with Mediterranean flavors will work too. Don’t be afraid to explore different entree options to find one that suits your event’s cuisine, budget, and kitchen workflows. Ask your commercial food distributors if they have any deals on meat, poultry, or seafood that might pair well with this dish.
Explore New Recipes This Summer Season
Whether you want to try out this salad or any other summer recipe, it’s easy to stock up on bulk foods wholesale at Foods Galore. Contact us today for more details on how our food distribution services can help you get all of the food and supplies you need to grow your successful catering business.
