Meet my summer salad obsession . . . Spinach Salad with Watermelon, Blueberries and Feta. It’s a recipe I got from my friend, Delilah. It’s light, delicious and gorgeous. The dressing is just lemon juice and honey. That’s it. Summer simplicity.
And if you’re lucky enough to have a friend who happens to be a beekeeper, then you get to use fresh, local honey! Thanks, Fern Hill Apiary!
2 tablespoons lemon juice (or 2 tablespoons lime juice)
1 tablespoon honey
4 cups spinach leaves
2 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 cup blueberries, washed and dried
1/2 cup seedless cucumber, cubed
1/2 cup red onion, cut thinly
1/2 cup feta cheese (I use the feta in brine, cubed)
Whisk the lemon or lime juice and honey in a large bowl. Add spinach and toss lightly to coat. Add watermelon, blueberries, cucumber, and onion. Toss and top with feta cheese.
Note: I rarely add the red onion — I find it overpowering. And I didn’t have any cucumbers today — and the salad tastes just as good without them. I love flexible food.
Now for the challenge . . . what wine should I pair with all this summer goodness? There’s a lot going on in that bowl. Let me know your ideas in the comments!
Salud!!
You want acidity for sure and a little sweetness to match up with the fruit and honey. I definitely would prefer bubbles for this salad, so I’d go with a Moscato D’asti. The bubbles will cleanse and refresh the palate and the sweetness will keep everything in balance. If you don’t want sweet, then I’d go with Prosecco.
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Oooh! Love the Moscato d’Asti idea . . . and I think I even have some in the fridge! Thanks for stopping by, modernsomm! Salud!
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No problem! I’m going to try that salad recipe; it sounds delicious!
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This is one of our favorite (and simple go to) summer salads sans the honey. We have this salad on the deck with Rose to veg out.
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Sans honey? I think I’d be making a pucker face! ;o) Rosé is a terrific idea . . . and visually pretty, too! Thanks for the input, Frank! Salud!
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I am thinking Vinho verde because I assume the water melon and the honey provide enough sweetness. Maybe going with a little less lemon juice in the dressing…and it is slightly bubbly, too…
I know what you mean with these easy summer salads. I hardly crave more when the weather is like this: just fruit (I like mine with peaches, plums, apples and avocado) and spinach. Then some parmiggiano on top…yum.
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avacado and parmiggiano? (droooooool !)
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Vinho Verde is an interesting option . . . love the greenness. You summer salad sounds perfect! Salud!!
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This is one serious challenge – there is a lot going on for a simple wine pairing. I would try to complement it and not to contrast (blueberries, honey, watermelon – ouch), thus I would suggest a nice German Riesling (probably Spatlese or Auslese), or (call me crazy) Sauterns.
I hope you will write a sequel and tell us what did you end up doing : )
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Riesling was my first thought, too. But I thought Kabinett instead of Spatlese. Sauternes is an intriguing idea. I should gather all the suggestions and do a pairing throw down! ;o) Salud!
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No questions, Kabinett will work fine too – overall, it will depend on the year and producer. Will be an interesting experiment and cool blog post!
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My there is a lot of different ideas in the comments! I would pair it with a nice refreshing crisp Sauvignon Blanc – probably one from New Zealand. Let us know what you try!
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Sauvignon Blanc would be a hit with the spinach, for sure! I may do a pairing with all the suggestions. Depends on what I have in my cellar! :o)
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This salad sounds divine!! I love summer simplicity… farm to table at its best. I, too, hope that you share what paired well in a follow up post.
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Thanks . . . let me know what you think of the salad if you try it! :o)
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as a beekeeper, my little ears perk up whenever “honey” is mentioned. this salad sounds divine, and i think i shall pare it with a german riesling. cheers, my dear!
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Wow! You’re a beekeeper, too? Awesome. I LOVE my friend’s local honey. My kids have gotten so spoiled . . . they won’t even let me buy “store” honey anymore. Riesling was my first thought, too. Salud!
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This dish is sure a wine pairing challenge, with all that sweetness and a touch of acidity from the dressing. I second Anatoli’s and Modern Somm’s suggestions: I would certainly go by association (not by contrast), preferably with an off-sweet wine (not all the way sweet given the presence of spinach and feta) with good acidity and intense aromas: when I read your post the first wine that popped to my mind was the off-dry Le Colture Prosecco that I just recently reviewed (I think it would really go well with your dish) or a German off-dry Riesling (Spatlese, I guess).
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I like the idea of pairing by association here . . . I can’t wait to try all the suggestions! Salute, Stefano!
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I think I would go with a crisp dry Rose’. Rose’ pairs with ANYTHING!
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Agreed, RWD! Rosé is perfection . . . Salud!
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