SPRING SALAD OF WATERMELON, WATERCRESS, AND SCALLIONS WITH A SHALLOT-CITRUS VINAIGRETTE

Spring Salad of Watermelon, Watercress, and Scallions with a Shallot-Citrus Vinaigrette image

Provided by Food Network

Time 20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

3 tablespoons minced shallots
2 teaspoons grained Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey, or to taste
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoons blood orange juice (or regular orange juice)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup peanut oil
Salt
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
4 cups seeded watermelon pieces about 1-inch in size
6 cups watercress leaves (about 1 bunch)
1/4 cup Italian parsley leaves
1/2 cup scallions, sliced
1/2 cup fresh chervil tops (or fresh oregano)
Black pepper

Steps:

Make the vinaigrette: In a small non-reactive bowl or food processor, place the shallots, mustard, honey, vinegars, and fruit juices and whisk or process. Slowly incorporate the oils, teaspoon by teaspoon until emulsified. Add salt and pepper to taste.
In a small saute pan heat the sesame oil until just below the smoking point. Add the sesame seeds and cook until the oil colors slightly. Drain the oil and reserve the seeds.
In a large bowl combine 1/2 of the sesame seeds, the watermelon, watercress, parsley, scallions, and chervil and toss with the vinaigrette to taste. Divide the greens between 6 or 8 individual salad plates and place the watermelon pieces on top. Sprinkle with the reserved sesame seeds and serve immediately.