Simple Sundays | Fig & Watermelon Salad
When I returned from vacation over a week ago, the cupboards and refrigerator were bare. As soon as I could, I went to the market, and I was not particularly enthused about the shopping trip since I was still feeling a little sad that our…
When I returned from vacation over a week ago, the cupboards and refrigerator were bare. As soon as I could, I went to the market, and I was not particularly enthused about the shopping trip since I was still feeling a little sad that our time away was over. Back to reality. Blech.
But I turned past the bananas and saw these:
Figs! The first I have seen this summer! It was as though they were welcoming me back home. See, Liren, isn’t it great to be back in California? they called out to me.
You know how much I love my figs. My heart leapt with joy. I enjoy them simply, usually just fresh, with morsels of goat cheese and drizzled with honey. But of course, I like to mess with them once in a while.
For the sweltering Fourth of July weekend, I paired them with the ultimate thirst quencher in a Fig & Watermelon Salad.
This was the secret. A rich sable glaze, made with balsamic vinegar and agave nectar. A drizzle of the Balsamic Glaze over the crisp melon, velvety figs, and bites of goat cheese was all I needed.
Who needs Hawaii, anyway? Wait, don’t answer that :)
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Fig & Watermelon Salad with Balsamic Glaze
Serves 4-6.
There are a few ways to go about this. All taste wonderfully, so choose what works best for you and enjoy!
- If you are pressed for time, simply whisk together the ingredients for the glaze with a little glug of good olive oil and you have an easy and bright dressing.
- Prepare the glaze and combine with a bit of olive oil for a silkier dressing.
- Prepare the glaze and drizzle all by itself.
INGREDIENTS
- 6 figs, quartered
- 1 1/2 cups cubed watermelon
- your favorite greens
- goat cheese, crumbled for garnish
- Balsamic Glaze (see recipe below)
METHOD
Arrange figs and watermelon atop your favorite greens. Crumble the bites of goat cheese to your liking. Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze/Dressing.
Balsamic Glaze
INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
METHOD
Combine balsamic vinegar and agave nectar (or honey) in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and simmer, stirring, until the glaze has reduced and the consistency is thicker, about 10 minutes. Keep in mind that the longer it simmers, the more potent the glaze, so make it as light or rich as you like. Cool before using.
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What a pretty salad! Fruit salads in the summer are just so refreshing!
Delicious combination there, I like the balsamic glaze, that’s a good idea
What a delicious salad! Love this recipe! :)
the recipe is simple but im sure the taste is much more over simple right ?:)
Oh glorious fig ! And I like so much the pairing of goat cheese and fig. Delicious salad !
And I know what you mean about the post-vacation kind of blues…
Refreshing salad and that glaze is so beautifuly rich looking.
Welcome home. Your summer shopping netted something delicious. GREG
I want that glaze. I COVET it. It looks soooo rich and sweet… Just right with juicy watermelon and simple figs.
Outstanding! The glaze it out of control good :) Buzzed!
Agave nectar in balsamic? GENIUS! I love figs, I love watermelon and I love balsamic! This is great! I’m happily buzzing this one!
Yeah yeah… rub it in. Makes me wish I lived in California so I could eat figs and avocado all the time. This salad looks wonderful. Simple but no less delicious
Oh, how heavenly. I’ve been gifted some figs recently – twice now – and have used the majority to make jam. I’m seriously thinking of investing in a fig tree, though. Such special fruit these are.
delicious salad combination looks wonderful
Amazing! Photos are gorgeous as always! I want this salad right now!
So fresh and beautiful!
The salad looks wonderful.
Okay I agree I need this first and then may be Hawaii? I love the combination of figs and watermelon. Got to try!
May I just say, yummy, yummy, yummy! I love this salad and the dressing. I’ll be on the hunt for fresh figs soon;-)
One of my favorite quick dressings. I love balsamic so much I ‘almost’ think I could drink it straight but I do a quick mix with olive oil and honey for summer salads with berries and goat cheese. Now of course…I want watermelon and figs! Figs are not easy to come by in Denver so you’re ahead of us here and I’m ever so envious!
What a gorgeous glaze and salad! Looks marvelous and perfect for summer!
Lovely…and so beautifully illustrated.
This salad is to die for! I look at those beautiful photos and I’m in love! Fantastic