We think it’s pretty safe to say that there’s a perfect summer salad for every moment.

Whether you’re making salads for a crowd at your next barbecue or just trying to put dinner on the table without having to turn on your oven (just add leftover protein), we’d like to present what we believe is the most summery summertime salad of all…

Watermelon and Cucumber and Rocket (aka Arugula) Salad

Is there anything better on a humid summer’s day than a freshly cut slice of watermelon? It’s a favourite summer snack for a reason, and its cold-sweet-juicy goodness is really enhanced when paired with contrasting flavours and textures. Salt and watermelon are a classic pairing—the salt gives sweetness and juiciness of watermelon an extra vibrancy—so this salad plays that up by pairing watermelon with the umami goodness of feta cheese. It has huge flavour, and it looks pretty, too – great for extra points when you arrive at a backyard BBQ or picnic in the park. 

There are so many wonderful flavours and textures in this salad that you can dress it as simply as you like — drizzle a bit of good olive oil and vinegar over it and you’re done. Or, try this easy poppyseed dressing. It helps play up the flavours of the salad ingredients, and poppy seeds are good sources of protein and dietary fibre, as well as some essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium and magnesium.

For the salad:

• Watermelon
• English cucumber
• Feta cheese
• Basil leaves
• Rocket

For the dressing: 

• Olive oil
• White balsamic vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Sea salt
• Poppy seeds

Method:

1. Slice the cucumbers and cube the watermelon.
2. Arrange the rocket on a big platter—it’ll serve as a bed for all of the other ingredients.
3. Pile the cubes of watermelon and cucumber on top of the arugula.
4. Sprinkle over salty crumbs of feta cheese and some basil, too.
5. Drizzle your poppy seed dressing over everything and enjoy!

Sorry to say, this not a great salad to make ahead of time. With all of these fresh, crisp ingredients, you’ll need to make it the day-of. However, there’s one exception—the poppy seed dressing, which you can make up to ten days ahead of time.