Heirloom Tomato, Watermelon & Chèvre Salad

Pretty & Plated – ripe heirloom tomatoes, sweet-crisp watermelon and aromatic basil join in a salad that entertains the senses. A little jewel filled with heaven scents from the garden, bursting with effortless everyday beauty.

A garden, great or small, brings forth joy, constant change, abundance and many times surprises. After returning from travel, my garden surprised me with a bounty of tomatoes. In one burst the heirloom tomatoes decided to finally bear fruit, many of which appear to have been devoured by my feathered garden friends, but happily a small, random collection of very ripe tomatoes remained – salad time!

Heirloom Tomato, Watermelon & Chèvre Salad – salty and sweet, creamy and crunchy –  delicious as it looks. Wedges of colorful heirloom tomatoes alternate with squares of crispy sugar-sweet watermelon, fragranced by aromatic basil, with bites of creamy goat cheese, toasted hazelnuts, plus a drizzle of fruity California olive oil.

Simply plated salads featuring summer’s produce bounty are true example of effortless everyday kitchen beauty, here’s how: Gather a few different varieties of heirloom tomatoes; yellow, green and red, small and large and slice into thick wedges. (Ask at local farmer’s markets for reduced price ‘dead-ripe’ tomatoes). Cut fresh watermelon into large chunks, about the same size as the tomatoes, alternate both on a large platter or plate. Tuck in some fresh basil leaves, top with crumbles of a creamy mild goat cheese, such as Cypress Grove Ms. Natural chèvre, for crunch scatter some toasted nuts, like hazelnuts or marcona almonds. Drizzle with an every day fruity olive oil and of course, season with flaked sea salt and freshly ground pepper – easy, everyday beauty.

This salad is versatile, prepare for one, two or a crowd. Make it part of an all salad meal, just add another summer fruit salad like savory Red, White & Blueberry Quinoa or as a side along rustic grilled Spatchcocked Chicken.

The beauty of summer’s sweet garden bounty, simple effortless everyday beauty from Bijouxs.

P.S. Happy Watermelon Day!

As always, enjoy. B