There are few combinations more refreshing on a warm summer afternoon than chilled watermelon and salty feta cheese. Ottolenghi's iconic salad embraces the contrast between sweet and salty flavors, creating a dish that is both simple and sophisticated.
Fresh basil and mint add brightness, while thinly sliced red onion provides just enough sharpness to balance the fruit. Finished with a generous drizzle of peppery extra virgin olive oil, this salad is the perfect addition to a Fourth of July table.
Ingredients
- 4½ cups watermelon, cut into large bite-sized chunks or wedges
- 10 ounces feta cheese, roughly crumbled
- ¾ cup fresh basil and/or mint leaves, torn
- ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
- High-quality extra virgin olive oil
- Optional: arugula
- Optional: fresh lemon or orange juice
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Directions
- Arrange the chilled watermelon on a serving platter.
- Scatter the feta evenly over the fruit.
- Add the red onion and fresh herbs.
- Drizzle generously with olive oil.
- Finish with citrus juice and black pepper if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Classic Cherry Clafoutis
For dessert, we're turning to a French favorite that feels especially fitting this time of year. Cherry clafoutis is a rustic baked custard dessert traditionally made with fresh cherries. As it bakes, the batter puffs around the fruit, creating a texture somewhere between a delicate cake and a silky custard.
Despite its elegant appearance, clafoutis is remarkably simple to prepare, making it perfect for summer entertaining. Serve it slightly warm with a dusting of powdered sugar and, if you like, a dollop of whipped cream.
Ingredients
- ¾ pound sweet cherries, pitted
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract (or seeds from 1 vanilla bean)
- 1 tablespoon kirsch (optional)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Powdered sugar, for serving
- Whipped cream, optional
Directions
- Preheat the oven and generously butter a baking dish.
- Arrange the cherries evenly in the dish.
- Whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, flour, vanilla, sugar, and salt until smooth.
- Stir in the kirsch, if using.
- Pour the batter over the cherries.
- Bake until puffed, lightly golden, and just set in the center.
- Allow to cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar and serving.
