Salads
Watermelon, feta & mint salad with pearled spelt & pickled onion
This watermelon, feta and mint salad is summery, refreshing, and perfect to eat al fresco (if the weather allows). We quickly pickled the red onion to take some of the harsh flavour out, and added pearled spelt and French beans to make it a heartier salad. All the ingredients are mixed and tossed with a simple vinaigrette, making a sweet, salty blend that looks and tastes beautiful. If this flavour combination sounds odd to you, trust us and give it a try – it is a winner.
Ingredients
For the pickled onion:
- ½ a red onion, peeled & sliced
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
For the salad
- 125g pearled spelt or pearl barley
- 300g French beans, trimmed
- 1 mini watermelon, rind removed and flesh cubed
- 200g feta cheese, crumbled
- 10g mint leaves, finely chopped, plus more to garnish
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- chilli flakes to taste
- salt & pepper
Method
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Step 1
In a small bowl, add all the pickled onion ingredients and mix well. Set aside and mix regularly while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
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Step 2
Rinse the pearled spelt and, following the package instructions, cook in boiling water until tender but still retaining a bite. Once cooked, rinse under cold water and set aside.
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Step 3
Meanwhile, in another pan of boiling water, add the French beans and cook for 3-4 minutes. They should still have some bite. Tip into a colander, refresh under cold water and drain.
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Step 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, a pinch of chilli flakes, and salt and pepper. Set aside.
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Step 5
In a big serving bowl, add the watermelon, pearled spelt, French beans, feta cheese and red onion, and combine well. Add the vinaigrette and toss. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, and garnish with some fresh mint.