Grilled Watermelon with Whipped Feta Dip

Votes: 1

Time: 20 min.
Complexity: easily
Servings: 6

Nutritional value per serving:

Calories 185, total fat 12 G., saturated fats 5 G., proteins 7 G., carbohydrates 15 G., fiber 1 G., cholesterol 30 mg, sodium 310 mg, sugar 12 G.

If you've never tried the combination of watermelon and feta, this recipe is a great way to fill that void! And here's another surprise: have you ever grilled watermelon? The sugars caramelize beautifully during grilling, enhancing the watermelon's flavor. Paired with a creamy feta sauce and fresh herbs, this appetizer is the perfect combination of sweet and savory.

The recipes use measuring containers with the following volumes:
1 glass (st.) - 250 ml.
3/4 cup (st.) - 180 ml.
2/3 cup (st.) - 160 ml.
1/2 cup (st.) - 125 ml.
1/3 cup (st.) - 80 ml.
1/4 cup (st.) - 60 ml.
1 tablespoon (tbsp) - 15 ml.
1 teaspoon (tsp) - 5 ml.
1/5 teaspoon (tsp) - 1 ml.

Ingredients for the recipe:

1 small seedless watermelon (1.3-1.8 kg)
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 block (200g) of good quality feta in brine, set aside
1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
2 tsp tightly packed fresh herbs, such as dill, mint, or thyme leaves, plus extra for serving
Honey, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Suggestions

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Recipes with similar ingredients: Watermelon, feta cheese, honey, yogurt, dill, thyme

Cooking the dish according to the recipe:

Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. If using an outdoor grill, preheat it to 500°F (260°C); clean and lightly oil the grill grates. The grill pan or grill must be very hot so that the watermelon cooks quickly and does not become mushy..
Cut the watermelon in half lengthwise. Slice each half into 2.5 cm-thick half-moons. Grill the watermelon slices, uncovered, until they are charred, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and let cool slightly. Once the watermelon is cool enough to handle, cut it into triangles, leaving the rind on so you can use it for dipping.

Puree the garlic in a food processor. Add the feta, yogurt, herbs, and 2 tablespoons of the feta brine. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Transfer to a small bowl. Drizzle with honey, season with pepper, and sprinkle with herbs.
Transfer the grilled watermelon to a platter and serve with feta sauce.

Note

This recipe uses sheep's milk feta and nonfat Greek yogurt, but you can use your favorite yogurt and feta.

Author of the recipe - Dana Beninati is a culinary educator and sommelier.

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