It’s time that we crank up the salad recipes here on the blog just in time for all the BBQs and picnics that we will be having and I can’t think of a better one to start the season with. It’s refreshing, super simple and packed full of all the good stuff.
You didn’t think that I would go more than one day before back from my Greek island trip without posting a feta filled recipe did you? If you did, you must be new to my blog or just seriously underestimate my love of feta. Being in Greece was like a feta pilgrimage for me and you can bet that I made the most of it whilst there.
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But, it wasn’t just feta that I ate an obscene amount on my trip, there were healthier things being eaten too and one of those thing was watermelon. It was in abundance and my favourite way to stay hydrated, which is especially important now I am carrying a little baby. I ate watermelon for breakfast, we bought it from fruit stalls around the islands and I had it in salads for dinner, which is what inspired this recipe.
I have so many happy memories from our trip to Greece (which I will be posting more about another time, with plenty of photos of course), but what there is a huge amount of is happy food memories. It was some of the best food I have ever eaten in my life and it’s so nice to be in a place now where all my food memories are happy ones, rather than memories of guilt that I used to associate with food and holidays.
Sure, I overate, but I was enjoying my holiday. I am now back, tracking my food and back to eating sensible portions and not beating myself up about it like I would have done a few years ago. The Weight Watchers #WomanKind campaign is all about being kind to yourself and focusing on the positives and not living a life where food controls you. We all work really hard to be able to go on holiday, do you want to spend the whole time worrying about what you are eating and stressing about it? Make the most of the local fresh produce, eat plenty of fruit and veg and drink enough water and you don’t have to worry about the things you are indulging in. Be kind to yourself and create some happy food memories with your friends and families.
It wasn’t just the food itself that has given me happy food memories, but just taking time to sit down with Dave and enjoy a meal and taking my time to eat too. But the food was also pretty epic. A lot of the best food I ate in Greece was salads, and I was so happy to see so much variety on the menu too. Not just your Caesar salads or a boring green salads either, but salads full of different textures and flavours and the salads with watermelon in were my favourite from the trip.
What’s not to love about watermelons? They are really cheap when in season, go a long way, versatile and super juicy at this time of the year. In the interest of branching out and adding more fruit to my salad (hello strawberries in salad), I thought watermelon would be a good one to go with and I paired it with some kale as we had a huge bag of it to use up. This is definitely one of my favourite salads now.
Add the crunch of the pecans and the creaminess and saltiness of the feta and you have so many flavours and textures going on, but it is not too over powering. We made a huge batch of this and we were having it as a side dish with loads of different meals for a couple of days. I love the mix of flavours and I am definitely a fan of fruit on salads now.
Ingredients – Serves 4:
– 1 bunch/1 large bag of kale
– 60g/2oz Feta cheese
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 2 tbsp cider vinegar
– Juice of half a lemon
– 2 garlic cloves, crushed
– 10 pecans, chopped
– A pinch of sea salt and black pepper
– 150g/1 cup watermelon, diced
1) Roughly chop the kale and put it in a bowl with the olive oil, cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic and salt and pepper and mix well.
2) Add the feta, watermelon and pecans.
Nutritional Information – Per person
Calories: 138
Fat: 12
Carbs: 5
Protein: 4
Fibre: 2
Weight Watchers SmartPoints:
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**This recipe was commissioned by Weight Watchers, however all opinions are my own**
Pras says
Perfect Salad recipe
Jagruti says
Although we are not having that heatwave anymore, still I would love to have this salad..so gorgeous!
NoEmptyCalories says
This dish looks insanely good. Pecans or any other seeds will nicely compliment this salad. Thanks for inspiring us!
Ines Deroo says
Normally I don’t really like salads because it is really simple.
But this salad has very good ingredients. I love watermelon it is very soft and delicious.
The combination is maybe a little strange, but that makes it special!
I’m very curious to try this out at home.
nicol says
definitely trying this! i love watermelon and kale. i do find the watermelon you buy isn’t sweet enough 🙁
Dannii says
I bought an amazingly sweet one the other day in Asda.
Charlotte Braithwaite says
Gosh, this looks scrumptious!
Ive never tired a salad like this before, I’m such a plain jane.
Thanks so much for sharing hun.
Charlotte x
Dannii says
I have lots of creative salad recipes coming this summer!
Maria @ runningcupcake says
I love watermelon- having it in a salad is a great idea- I tend to buy one and then only then remember how huge they are and how long they take to eat!
Dannii says
They are massive at the moment, aren’t they. They are really good grilled on the BBQ too.
Tanya Brannan says
This is not a combination that I would have ever have thought of putting together but it looks so fresh and tasty, Thank you x
Dannii says
It’s so fresh and summery! My favourite salad at the moment.
Louise says
Oh my god this looks so good, I’d never have thought of pairing watermelon with kale or feta. I love both kale and feta so I think I’d probably really like this too x
Dannii says
It’s a delicious combination, and so fresh too.
Camilla says
Glad you enjoyed your Greek holiday and so right not to be worried about what you eat while on holiday. I’ve never eaten raw kale so must give that a go!
Dannii says
It’s really nice raw. A bit chewy, but I kind of like that.
Life as Mum says
Never thought about adding watermelon to salads. sounds really refreshing
Dannii says
It’s the way forward I think! I am also loving peaches in a salad at the moment.
Astrid says
I think this is a great recipe. I’d love it except for the feta, for which I’d substitute mozzarella.
Dannii says
You can use any cheese that suits your tastes 🙂
Renna says
Yum!! Looks lush. I’ve always enjoyed watermelon salads.
Dannii says
They are so refreshing, aren’t they.
Sally Akins says
If it wasn’t pouring with rain outside, I would really fancy eating this! Watermelon and feta together, yum!!
Dannii says
I know, where has the sunshine gone?
Mary - A Mary Road says
I started my pescatarian diet 3 months ago, and this recipe is perfect as I’m running out of ideas! 😀
Dannii says
I have loads of veggie recipes in my recipe section.
Miss Kitty Kaos says
I have never tried watermelon and feta together before but it sounds delicious you may have convinced me to have a salad X
Dannii says
It’s a really delicious combo – definitely one to try.
Donna @wholefoodbellies says
Oh lucky you, I would love to make it to Greece one day! I would totally be making my own feta pilgrimage over there too 🙂 This salad sounds delicious, so light and fresh and perfect for summer!
Dannii says
I ate feta every day and I never got bored of it.
Rachel says
Oh wow, now this is an amazing combination, I was sold at the Watermelon part x
Dannii says
It’s so good at this time of the year, isn’t it.
Georgina Ingham | Culinary Travels says
This looks gorgeous. I love watermelon & feta salad but wouldn’t have thought to add kale. Lovely combination.
Dannii says
It makes a nice change from other greens.
Laura H says
I love all three of these ingredients but never would have thought of mixing them together! This will be great when it gets a little hotter 🙂
Dannii says
We need some sun! I was to have a BBQ!
Vanessa G says
Would this would with Stilton too? I am not a big fan of feta.
Dannii says
Yes, I think that would work. I might give that a try too, as my husband loves stilton.
Holly says
This is such a good idea! I love watermelon, so I will be trying this salad at the weekend.
Dannii says
I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Anosa says
I never would have thought to had watermelon to a salad but this looks delicious
Dannii says
It makes the salad really refreshing.
Liz Mays says
This sounds so refreshing and light. I’d love to make some of this salad for a special occasion. I definitely want to add more kale to my diet.
Dannii says
I think kale is good in a salad, as the dressing clings to it really well.
Melanie Edjourian says
Watermelon is a great addition to salad, it’s tasty, healthy and full of fibre.
Dannii says
It makes it so hydrating too.
Rhian Westbury says
I can’t imagine that watermelon goes well with feta and kale. It looks really yummy though x
Dannii says
It works really well. Don’t knock it until you try it 😉
neil@neilshealthymeals.com says
I totally love watermelon in a salad!
I lived in Gibraltar for 2 years when I was younger, my Dad was in the Navy, so we got stationed out there. We ate watermelon salads all the time. This looks exactly like those salads. What a great food memory. Thanks Dannii 🙂
Dannii says
That’s a lovely food memory! Any memory that involves salad is a good one.
Sarah Bailey says
Ohh I totally wouldn’t have thought of using watermelon in a salad what an interesting idea. I need to give this a whirl. x
Dannii says
It goes down very well at BBQs.
Amanda says
This looks so refreshing and easy to make! It would be the perfect summer side salad. I have never put watermelon in a salad, but I love the idea of it! Thank you for sharing!
Dannii says
You are very welcome! It makes a nice change from other fruits in salads.
Sarahjane says
This looks very summer and delicious!! Added to my list of recipes to try! 🙂
Dannii says
I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
I am definitely due some watermelon in my life! I have a massive craving for it now 😛
Dannii says
I always eat a ton of it in the summer.
Ashley says
Watermelon has just started popping up again at my local store and I couldn’t be happier! Love watermelon and feta together! This salad sounds wonderful.
Dannii says
I am definitely going to be making the most of watermelon this season.
Jo says
Watermelon in a salad sounds like it would work so well. And the combination with the feta cheese sounds really great. Can’t wait to try it.
Dannii says
Feta cheese is amazing in everything!
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
I want to rolllll all around in this!
Dannii says
Haha, could get messy, but I bet it would still be refreshing.
Jack (Five Year Target) says
Me and my partner have just started meal planning to save money, and this looks interesting to add to my lunches. At the moment I’m stuck in a rut of the same things or the same kind of things day in, day out! Thank you!
Dannii says
Me plan our meals too and it saves us so much time and money.
Bintu | Recipes from a Pantry says
I’m not generally a big watermelon fan but am absolutely crazy about feta cheese. This salad looks so light and refreshing!
Dannii says
You could do this salad with strawberries instead.
Trish says
Mmmm… bring on watermelon season! And your trip sounds like it was awesome!
Dannii says
It was amazing – just what we needed to relax.
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
I love salads with watermelon, all that juicy sweetness that will contrast beautifully with the salty feta. Just lovely.
Dannii says
It is one of my favourite flavour combinations.
The Food Hunter says
Love this combination it is perfect for summer
Dannii says
We just need some sun now!
Sus // roughmeasures.com says
Your trip looked amazing Dannii, I can’t wait to hear more about it. Loving this salad, the watermelon is making me crave hot, sunny days!
Dannii says
Where has the sun gone??
Christie says
What a delicious combination of flavors. I can just imagine how good the feta cheese was in Greece. Cannot wait to hear about your trip.
Dannii says
It was seriously the best feta I have ever tasted in my life.
Ali @ Home & Plate says
What a healthy side dish. Watermelons are so sweet right now and this would pair beautifully with kale and crunchy pecans and feta. Perfect for any summer bbq.
Dannii says
I am definitely making the most of watermelons whilst they are at their best at the moment.
Anna @AnnaTheApple says
A massive thumbs up for this. I ADORE feta and ADORE watermelon. I love summer purely because watermelons taste AMAZING and are super cheap. Love this.
Dannii says
I have always wanted to try a vodka watermelon too, but that will have to wait until next year now.
Nadia says
This recipe is perfect for summer 🙂 Watermelon is my favourite fruit ever! Used to eat so much of it growing up. They tend to be so small and expensive in the UK and they don’t taste as good as the ones we had in the Middle East.
Dannii says
I bet they taste so much better over there. They were much better in Greece too.
StressedMum says
This sounds the perfect salad for the hopefully to come summer days, and would be great for many ocassions too x
Dannii says
We just need some sun now! I was hoping for some this weekend, but it’s not looking likely.
Bella says
Could this be made in advance? The night before a BBQ for example?
Not only do I love your recipes, but I love how you focus on building a positive relationship with food and talking about happy food memories.
Dannii says
Yes, it can be made the night before and it will be fine.
Thank you – I think it is so important to have a healthy relationship with food too.
Claire Wright says
That is such a unique salad recipe. I love feta and watermelon, but I have never had them together. I sounds lovely.
Dannii says
It’s delicious. I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
I could do with this right now. I love watermelon and feta together, never thought to add it to kale too.
Dannii says
The kale really brings it all together.
Marianela says
I LOVE Watermelons. Such a refreshing and healthy recipe =) Thanks so much for sharing!
Dannii says
You are very welcome! I hope you enjoy it.
David @ Spiced says
Laura ate watermelon like it was her job last summer! Some women crave pickles and ice cream (really…or is that just a rumor?), but Laura craved watermelon. We seriously ate a huge watermelon once a week last summer! But somehow we never added feta to it. I need to make this happen this summer. Yum!
Dannii says
I eat pickles out of the jar anyway, so that wouldn’t make any difference to me haha.
You have to have feta with watermelon, it’s such a good combo.
Laura ~ RYG says
Looking forward to your Greece pics! My parents took a month trip there and brought me back the most awesome dress ever. I can’t tell you how many compliments I get!!! Anyhow, this salad looks very good. Watermelon is the best. So I haven’t been the biggest feta fan in the past but you’re convincing me to try it again.
Dannii says
I wanted to bring back so much from Greece with me, but sadly I didn’t have the space.
Sarah, Things Sarah Loves says
I spend a fair bit of time in Greece so I’m always recreating Greek dishes and I really need to try this. I use feta with everything and it tastes so good in salads – definitely my favourite cheese. I’m not keen on watermelon but I’m going to give this a go because it sounds like it could be a great combination!
Dannii says
You can always use less watermelon, so there is just a hint of it rather than it being the star of the dish.
Priya says
Such a refreshing and healthy salad! perfect for this summer..
Dannii says
We just need some summer weather now 🙂
Jude Dunn says
That looks delicious, I love watermelon and Feta but I have to confess I have never tried Kale, I really need to give it a go 🙂
Dannii says
You should give it a go – it makes a nice change from other leafy greens like spinach.
kate @ VeggieDesserts says
This salad sounds so quick, easy, healthy and refreshing! A lovely homage to your Greek holiday.
Dannii says
It is the most refreshing salad. I can’t get enough of it.
Sarah Ella (Mumx3x) says
I love water melon and it really a great way to stay hydrated! And they’re so refreshing too. This salad sounds so tasty, I’m going to try it, it would be great for a BBQ! Thank you for sharing xx
Dannii says
You are very welcome. Fingers crossed for BBQ weather soon.
Bel James says
This recipe is perfect because I like salad and watermelon since I am familiar with eating them separately. I guess this salad is something new for me to try and to prepare. If pecans and feta cheese are not available, is it okay to use other nuts and cheese for this recipe?
Dannii says
Yes, any nuts and cheese work together, but I really like the combination of feta and pecans together.
kristi@runkwrun.blogspot.com says
I’m loving watermelon right now. My favorite is watermelon chunks with feta cheese and basil. The recipe calls for mint, but I never have that around. So, basil it is and it’s delicious. Also, did you know you can grill watermelon (big chunks obviously). I have been meaning to try it.
Thanks for the recipe !
Dannii says
Yes! Grilled watermelon is amazing – it’s a must at a summer BBQ.
Willow says
I could eat all of that right now. All I want to eat is salads at the moment, I just don’t have an appetite for anything else.
Dannii says
I am like that too, but I think that I am still in holiday mode.
Ina says
I am going to make this tonight. I sounds perfect for this crazy weather we are having.
Dannii says
It’s odd isn’t it. First it’s really sunny and then it is freezing cold.
Emma says
We are having a bbq at the weekend, so this has come just in time. Thank you and thanks for all your lovely recipes.
Dannii says
You are very welcome! Fingers crossed that we have nice weather this weekend.
Carla says
The love all the colours. I have had kale salad before, but not with cheese or fruit. It sounds interesting.
Dannii says
They go really well together. Well, feta goes well with everything 🙂
Penny says
I am so making this for a bbq I am going to this weekend. It might be a bit too “healthy” for the other people, but whilst they are eating greasy sausages, I can eat this.
Dannii says
Encourage them to try it, they might just like it 🙂