Sweet And Spicy Melon Salad Food

SPICY MELON SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk 1 tablespoon each brown sugar and vegetable oil, 1/2 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 teaspoon Sriracha and the zest and juice of 1 lime. Drizzle over 1/2 each sliced cantaloupe and honeydew melon. Top with 2 tablespoons each chopped peanuts, cilantro and mint.

SPICY MELON SALAD

Steps:

• Shingle the cantaloupe half-moons and watermelon wedges on a platter. Crush the chiles and sprinkle them over the melons. Season with the salt. Scatter with the arugula. Drizzle the olive oil and lime juice over the top.

SPICY LIME MELON SALAD

Steps:

• Puree 1/2 cup cilantro, 1/2 small seeded serrano chile, the juice of 2 limes, 1/4 cup olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt. Toss with 4 cups cubed assorted melons, one 15-ounce can hearts of palm (drained, rinsed and sliced 1/2 inch thick) and 2 sliced scallions; season with salt and pepper.

GRILLED WATERMELON SALAD WITH SWEET AND SPICY VINAIGRETTE

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.

SWEET-AND-SPICY PICKLED WATERMELON RIND

Steps:

• Trim the green skin off 1/4 small watermelon. Remove all but 1/4 inch red fruit from the rind; cut the rind into 1/2-inch pieces. Pack into a 1-quart jar. Combine 3/4 cup each apple cider vinegar and water, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons coriander seeds, 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Pour over the rind; let cool. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 1 week.

CUCUMBER, MELON AND WATERMELON SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Toss together just before serving.

SPICY WATERMELON SALAD WITH PINEAPPLE AND LIME

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together oil, vinegar, lime zest and juice, honey and jalapeño. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add the red onion and toss to coat. Let marinate, 10 minutes.
• While the onions marinate, chop the watermelon and the pineapple into 1-inch cubes, discarding any seeds. Add watermelon and pineapple to the vinaigrette and toss to coat; season to taste. Refrigerate until serving.
• When ready to serve, add feta and herbs to salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with Tajin, if using, and serve immediately.