Watermelon, feta and black olive salad.

Now that summer has (finally) arrived, I thought I would share what is possibly my favourite summer salad of all time. I have been meaning to post this for a while, but somehow, the grey skies and relentless rain didn't seem to complement what is such a lively and refreshing salad (which, now I’m thinking of it, would have brightened up even the dullest of summer days).

This seemingly bizarre combination of watermelon, feta and black olive came to my attention in Nigella’s optimistically named ‘Forever Summer’. These three ingredients, together with red onion, lime juice, parsley and mint all get along swimmingly with one another, yet provide enough mouth watering contrasts of both flavour and texture to keep it exciting. The crumbly and salty feta pairs wonderfully with the perfectly pink watermelon flesh, which bursts with subtly sweet juices as it melts in your mouth. Meanwhile, the sharpness of raw red onions that can often be too overpowering are tamed sufficiently by the lime juice, leaving a delicate tang and a satisfying crunch (it also tinges them a beautiful transparent pink colour).

You will need:

1 small red onion, sliced finely

2-4 limes, depending on juiciness

1.5 kg sweet, ripe watermelon

250g feta cheese

Bunch of fresh flat leaf parsley

Bunch of fresh mint, chopped

3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

100g pitted black olives

Black pepper

Serves 8

Steep the finely sliced red onion in a bowl with the lime juice (don’t be stingy with the lime juice, the more the merrier). Remove the rind and most of the pips (as many as you have patience for), and cut into approximately 4cm triangular chunks. Cut the feta into similarly sized pieces and put them both in a large, but shallow bowl.  Tear off sprigs of parsley and add to the bowl as well as the chopped mint.

Tip the soaked onions, along with the newly pink stained juices over the salad and add both the oil and the olives. Use your hands to gently toss the salad (you will find the watermelon and feta will start to disintegrate quickly if put under too much stress). Grind in black pepper to taste, and add more lime if necessary.

If like me, you are completely enchanted with this salad, I have no doubts that it will (as Nigella says), ‘become a regular feature of your summer table". Enjoy!

Who knew watermelon and feta could be such good mates!?