Tempered Watermelon Salad
Somethings just don’t get any easier. And this week is about those easy cooling recipes. I am playing with all the herbs that I can find, so I am absolutely in my happy place. This tempered watermelon salad is a result of my games. It is a keeper and it offers you a very unusual use for your air-fryer. Well, or if you are willing to brave the heat, you can turn on your oven and lightly roast the watermelon.
I certainly do not deal well with the heat. I know that I keep saying this. Thankfully, this is where the air-fryer and the instant pot come in handy. A large watermelon, and I made this creation about 4 times. I am happy with this version. Needless to mention, with every variation I worked on extracting just a little more flavor and making it just a little easier. Watermelon, Cucumber, and a few basic spices. Enough to make mellow the sweetness. If you absolutely must, you can add in some crumbled feta cheese.
My Watermelon Salad Story
Essentially I temper oil, pour this over the watermelon cubes, and pop this under in the air-fryer. Stir once and cook some more. Drizzle this with a few more herbs and serve this war. There really is not much more to this. In India, cooking watermelon with savory spices to beat the heat is not uncommon. I am playing with that concept and just adding my own light touch to it. Also, am taking advantage of some of the tools that a modern kitchen offers. Interestingly enough, the high heat from the air fryer allows the fruit to gently release its juices without cooking it too much.
If like us you like the sweet and savory blend of flavors that a dish like this offers you will enjoy this over quinoa, couscous or just by itself. I have been busier than ever this past week. Prepping for online classes, busy at work, all things that help the day just breeze by.
I am also trying to make a little more sense of the schedule that seems to have moved to something reminiscent of an owl. I am up well into the wee hours of the morning and then sleep in until 10 am.
But, all that later. Here is to a light an lively watermelon salad. Did you know warmer watermelon is even healthier for you? Now, I like the plain Jane version, some of the home crew enjoyed this with feta cheese, I am just putting it out there. So a few variations of this basic creation, Some more watermelon recipes are this watermelon and cashew smoothie and watermelon sangria.
- Skip the cucumber and just enjoy this with watermelon.
- Mix up the herbs
- Add in a generous dose of feta cheese
If you like this recipe and want more ideas, do join my Indian Instant/Air Fryer Facebook group and Legume Love Group. Of course Instant Indian is ready for order, joining its siblings The Bengali Five Spice Chronicles and Spices and Seasons.
A vibrant and gorgeous summer salad, that is done easily in your air-fryer.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of watermelon cubes
- 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons of chopped red onion
- 2 tablespoons olive or coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon minced rosemary
- 1 tablespoon pink or black salt
- 1 green chili finely chopped
- a few curry leaves (optional)
- 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
- Additional rosemary and finely chopped cilantro to garnish
Instructions
- Directions:
- Place the watermelon cubes in a small round shallow pan, I use a baking pan rather than the wire basket. Place in an air fryer and cook for 10 minutes at 450 degrees. Alternately bake on a sheet pan for 20 minutes until the juices are released.
- Add with the juices into a mixing bowl. Stir in the cucumbers and the red onions.
- Heat the oil and add in the black mustard seeds and when they crackle, add in ginger and turn off the heat in 30 seconds. Stir in the rosemary, salt and green chili. Mix well and pour this over the watermelon and stir well.
- Let it rest for about 5 minutes and serve warm.