Best Grilled Watermelon Salad With Lime Mango Dressing Recipes

Grilled Watermelon Salad with Sweet and Spicy Vinaigrette image

Provided by Kardea Brown

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from 2 to 3 limes) plus zest of 1 lime
1/4 cup minced shallots (from 1 large)
3 tablespoons hot sauce, preferably Texas Pete
2 large garlic cloves, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons salted butter
1 cup pecan halves
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 small seedless watermelon
One 5- to 6-ounce box baby arugula
1 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 cup blueberries
4 ounces premium-quality blue cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup sliced scallions

Steps:

For the vinaigrette: Combine the oil, honey, lime juice, zest, shallots, hot sauce, garlic and salt and pepper in a bowl to make a sweet and spicy vinaigrette. Set aside.
For the salad: Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the pecans and brown sugar, stirring to coat. Cook over medium heat until the sugar begins to caramelize, about 3 minutes. Spread out pecans on prepared baking sheet to cool.
Heat an outdoor gas grill to high or prepare a charcoal grill for high, direct-heat grilling. Trim the ends off the watermelon. Stand the watermelon on one cut end and cut in half, then cut each half in half again. Cut the quarters into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Brush the vinaigrette on both sides of the watermelon slices. Add the watermelon slices to the grill in a single layer and cook until warmed through and grill marks appear, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Cool the watermelon, then cut into cubes. (You won't use all the watermelon for the salad. Use as much as you like.)
Layer the arugula leaves, grilled watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, blue cheese, pecans, parsley and scallions in a salad bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss just before serving.

Marinated Watermelon Salad with Spicy Chipotle-Lime Vinaigrette image

Provided by Kardea Brown

Categories side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon lime zest plus 3 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
Kosher salt
2 cups cubed watermelon
1/2 cup very thinly sliced red onion
1 large mango, peeled, pitted and chopped
1/2 English cucumber, cut into half-moons
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves

Steps:

For the spicy chipotle-lime vinaigrette: Whisk together the honey, olive oil, vinegar, lime zest and juice and chipotle chile powder in a small bowl. Season with salt to taste.
For the watermelon salad: Combine the watermelon, red onion, mango and cucumber in a medium bowl.
Pour the vinaigrette over the mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until ready to serve. Just before serving, add the mint and toss to combine.

Grilled Watermelon Salad With Lime Mango Dressing and Cornbread Croutons image

Provided by JJ Johnson

Yield 6-8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

Lime Mango Dressing:
½ cup coarsely chopped ripe mango
¼ cup fresh lime juice
¼ cup dry sake
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
1 teaspoon minced seeded bird's-eye chile
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ cup canola oil
Salad:
3 pounds seedless watermelon, peel left on, cut into 1-inch-thick slabs
Olive oil
Kosher salt
½ cup hulled pumpkin seeds
¼ teaspoon ground cayenne
1 teaspoon sugar
4 cups 1-inch cubes homemade or store-bought cornbread
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
8 fresh shiso leaves, shredded (or Thai basil or mint)
½ cup dates, pitted and chopped
1 serrano chile, sliced into rings
Freshly ground black pepper
½ cup ricotta or mascarpone

Steps:

For the dressing:
Put all of the ingredients except the oil in a blender. Blend on high. After the ingredients are blended, slowly add the oil and continue to blend until the mixture is thickened and emulsified. (Makes 1 cup.)
For the salad:
Heat a grill pan to medium-high heat. Drizzle the watermelon slices with just enough oil to thinly coat and place them on the hot grill.
Grill each side of the watermelon slices for about 2 minutes, until charred. Transfer to a plate and season with salt.
Remove the rind and dice the grilled watermelon into large cubes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Toss the pumpkin seeds with the cayenne, sugar, and 2 teaspoons oil and place on a small baking sheet. Roast for 6 to 10 minutes, until golden.
Brush the cornbread cubes with the melted butter and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Put in the oven along with the pumpkin seeds and bake for 10 minutes, turning halfway with a flexible spatula. Remove from the oven when the croutons are toasted and golden.
Toss the watermelon, shiso, dates, and chile in the bowl with ¼ cup Lime Mango Dressing (reserve remaining dressing for another use). Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Add the cornbread croutons and toss very gently to combine without breaking the croutons. Spoon the salad onto a large platter and garnish with the pumpkin seeds and cheese.