Friday, August 6, 2010

Pineapple Watermelon Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

Is it the weekend yet? What's that? Why yes, it is.  Whew!

I swear everyday this week was a full moon and I'm basically over it. Greetings 3 days of nothing. 

Dear weather fairies:  please tell me this weekend will consist of warm sunshiny days so I can finally stop wearing a sweater for the first time this summer. For months I have been reading the other lovely bloggers from all around the country -and other parts of the world- talk about hot sweaty weather, trips to Cape Cod and other capes and things, A/C units that can't keep up and every other summer fun thing under the sun while I've been listening to the heat turn on by itself from beneath my feather comforter.  (True story - pardon me while I feel sorry for myself).

Because I am an eternal optimist here is one of my favorite summer salads (if you build it, they will come?...summer you hear that?  there's still time) courtesy of the Chef.  He made it the other night to cheer me up and I finished off the remainder a short time ago.  Hope you enjoy - it's a fun fruity one with a twist!

Pineapple Watermelon Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
Ingredients
1/3    pineapple large dice
1/2C watermelon large dice
1ea   serrano and red jalapeño sliced
1/4C red onion sliced
1/4    bunch cilantro leaves
1T     lime juice
3T     olive oil
pinch salt, pepper, paprika

Method
Gather all of your ingredients.


Begin by cutting the pineapple if you're not using pre-cut.  Here's an easy how-to that the Chef put together for you.  While the pre-cut is super convenient, it costs an arm and a leg...and a new pair of fall boots if you eat a lot of pineapple.

Easy way to cut a pineapple:

 Line knife with core and cut straight down.
 Lay flesh side down remove skin cutting parallel to flesh.
Remove edges of skin by cutting on angle.
Ta-da!

Next you can chop up the remaining easier ingredients and set them aside in individual piles while you make the vinaigrette.

Vinaigrette
Mix lime juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika.


Plating
Gather all ingredients and the bowls or plates you will be serving on.

 Place pineapple and watermelon on plate.
Sprinkle on onion and chili peppers.
 Spoon vinaigrette over top.
 Garnish with cilantro leaves.

The Chef provided a step-by-step if you want to do fancier plates, but you can also toss all of the ingredients gently in a bowl and serve the salad family style.

And with that I'm running away and may never come back.

I hope you enjoy the salad - if you get the opportunity to give it a try please let us know what you think.  Now it's time for me to tackle Mary's Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip and Pecan Cookies.  I have a $16 bag of gluten-free oatmeal (yes this disease really does cut into the shoe budget) calling my name.  Let's hope Jillian Michaels doesn't find out what I'm up to and lay a beating on me.

Have a great weekend everyone!

81 comments:

Anonymous said...

Now this looks like an exciting "salad"!! My husband's a huge pineapple fan so he'll love this! Thanks!

Claire Kiefer said...

Yum! That looks so delicious! I think that watermelon is more versatile than people think. I had it at a fancy place in a beet salad once, and it was amazing. I think I'm going to try using it in recipes . . . I always just eat it by itself. Thanks for the inspiration :)

Joyti said...

It looks amazing...sort of makes me think Vietnamese or Thai though...with the little chili peppers I suppose. YUM

k said...

yum yum yummmmmmm, hope you have a fabuloso weekend!

LifestyleBohemia said...

This looks amazing! My husband love pineapple so I will definitely have to make this for him. Thanks for sharing!
xx

Lori said...

This sounds fresh and yummy Carrie! Hope the weather warms up for you ~ the humidity here has been gross ~ I do not mind the heat but the humidity kicks the crap right out of me. Have a wonderful week-end!!

STYLE'N said...

Great pictures and recipe! I have been enjoying salads in the summer so this is definitely one to try. have a great weekend,
naina

Jess said...

Yuuuuum! And it looks so beautiful too! Thanks for sharing.

Enjoy your weekend.

jess

KatiePerk said...

This looks delicious! And so pretty!

Closet Fashionista said...

That plate looks so cute!!! Looks tasty too, I'll have to show my mom :D
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

Lilacandgrey said...

Wow! Fancy! I hope you get some warm sunshiny weather this weekend...and if you don't come visit me at the Jersey Shore (sans The Situation)!

Anonymous said...

Yum... I will buy my pineapple pre sliced, I know if I cut it myself I will lose a finger. xo

Jordan Cole said...

Oooh that is looking so fancy! Yummy yummy I will have to make that for lunch today, it looks so refreshing.

ChinkyGirLMeL said...

What a refreshing treat sweetie. It's raining here on my side of the world but this post really made me smile. I dunno what is it about pineapples, they just make me smile. =)

love jenny xoxo said...

that looks delicious!! I'm definitely going to try it! I'm a new follower and I love the blog! Can't wait to read more!

fabulousjunk said...

can you cook for me sometime? lol... I'm really lazy and terrible in the kitchen...love your blog btw :)

-becky
http://fabulous-junk.blogspot.com

BrooklynBlonde said...

some how you manage to do it again.. make my mouth water!! Have a great weekend! :)

Lisa - respect the shoes said...

Ooh, this looks delish! Now the quandry is how do I trick my BF - who is Mr. Meat and Potatoes, doesn't like trying new things - to eating this? Though, who cares, I may just have to make it for myself - love pineapples and melons!

Cool Gal said...

That salad look delicious. I never knew how to cut a pineapple the proper way. Thanks so much. This tip will save me a lot of time.

Have a great weekend!

Kristen said...

salad looks incredible. fantastic job on the plating!

fashion clocked said...

This looks good... im kind of hoping when my boyf cooks for me tonight it resembles something delicate and tasty like this.... i can only hope ( he used to be a chef but honestly- doesnt really show!) Im heading off for a sleep- will be making this over the weekend... oh and wish me luck for this meal tonight! call by soon lovely! fashion clocked kisses. Katie.xx

Nikki said...

Yum! Looks great Carrie. Perfect summer recipe!

Have a great weekend!

xx
Nikki

Rachel @ The Haute Notes said...

This looks so yummy!! And it's definitely the perfect dish for summer.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Tayebug said...

Oh yum, what a great combination! And thanks for the pineapple cutting tutorial, I never know how to do it!

Petite Gorgeous said...

I love pineapples and watermelon. This plate is a perfect combo for me! :)

Leia said...

That looks DIVINE! I love how you showed us how to cut a pineapple as well. I always find it so difficult.

Also: Jillian Michaels scares the bejeezus out of me! Haha. I need to start doing The Shred again (could never get past level 1! haha)

Leia

Josie said...

This is SO pretty! It looks like such a tasty and refreshing dish; I definitely want to try making it before summer's end. Have a fab weekend, my dear!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Alicia Lund said...

Yum Carrie this sounds so refreshing and tasty!! I love how you plated the dish as well. ;) Happy Friday, hope your weekend is relaxing! xx

Zabrinah said...

This is amazing!!! How are you soooooo good at this?!

Best wishes from one blogger to another,

~Zabrinah

Jessica said...

That looks delicious and sooo pretty! I am a sucker for pineapple.

Welcome said...

This looks yummy and very light!! Its a must try, especially with pineapple...Have a Great Weekend!!

XOXO
Kiki

Unknown said...

This looks amazing. How about I fly out to LA, we'll make a little salad, and then hit up your new Vanessa Bruno boutique? So very jealous :) Have a fab weekend!

BusyB said...

that looks GOOD! thanks for the recipe!!! : )


I am SOOOOO jealous of all the hot weather too...WHATS GOING ON CA!!!!!?@#!

have a great weekend...heard it MIGHT get some sun here lol!

Angela said...

Yum!!!! the best pineapple i ever had was in hawaii. : )

Daniela said...

this looks very pretty but i can't stand pineapple. I do plan on making the vinaigrette though..!

have a great weekend of nothingness.

xx, D

Mimi said...

that salad looks so pretty to eat! and those cookies sound so yummy! :D

<3, Mimi
http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/

Emz said...

HOLY CRAP - that looks amazing!!

YUM!!!

Marie a la Mode said...

Looks delicious! And please don't run away, come back! Come baaaaack ; )

April said...

Looks yummy! Have a great weekend!

OneCraftyFox said...

This looks delish!!

Have an awesome weekend :)

erica said...

That looks divine! I must make it asap!!!!

xo

Anonymous said...

Yummy looks spectacular, I never have the patience to make my food look so cute.

NARDIVILE said...

Yum! When it gets warmer(pineapples suck right now)i'm definitely making this.
Rx

Kara Endres said...

What a cute and light snack! Interesting combination.

http://sprinklesinsprings.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Mmmm looks delicious! :-) Have a fab weekend my darling, and thanks for the recipe!

Lady Grey said...

this salad is seriously adorable!
oxo

Bárbara said...

wow this looks so healthy and delicious!!!
thanks for sharing!!

Stacey said...

Being Jamaican, i definitely appreciate this salad. To me, it's so tropical inspired. Happy weekend to you!

Anonymous said...

That looks pretty AND yummy so I definitely want it.

S.I.F. said...

That looks beautiful! And you know that pineapple core is good for fertility, right?!? Something about it helps embryos attach - I swear it! ;)

And for the record, we have had the most crap summer ever in Alaska too. I usually adore our summers, but it has been rainy for the last month at least. Very little sunshine at all, which is such a bummer because usually the best part about living in Alaska is the summer sunlight!

Sherin said...

Looks like a great receipe. Can't wait to try it out.

Poppies and Sunshine said...

This sounds great and I love how it is displayed. So pretty! I am hoping on your behalf that you get lots of sunshine this weekend! Please take some of this unbearable heat! I would like to trade spots for a bit!

Nemerae said...

It looks yummy and really original&natural! :)
xx

Cornflakes and Honey said...

Wowee what a dish, so sophisticated and pretty!!
xx

Abby said...

This is a pretty salad! I would like to eat it... love pineapple!

I'm so glad it's the weekend, too.

Unknown said...

YUM! How smart are you for having a Chef bf? :)

Ann said...

Delicious! I love watermelon, so I'll definitely have to try this :)

Unknown said...

i wish i had a chef around that inspired me so. that vinaigrette - paprika?! it makes me weak in the knees.

also, the jillian michaels reference...are you doing her workout videos? please say yes, because then i'll know that we really are kindred spirits. i bought one last week and do it in my hotel room while i travel. i am doing it mostly for strength because i am about as strong as Olive Oyl.

xx anna jane

Andee Layne said...

wow love the presentation! great for summer entertaining! xoxo

PinkFleurette said...

I do love my crisp summer salads! This reminds me of one time my dad and I planted a pineapple in our backyard. It grew terribly slow, and by the time we finally got a pineapple, it was two years after planting it, and it was about half the size of a real pineapple.
Well, we ate it anyways, and it was the sweetest, juciest, most amazing pineapple ever. mmm....

I will definitely try this soon!
-Erica
Classy and Delicious

J. said...

The chef has superpowers! THis looks awesome. I usually just cut up some fruit and throw it in a cup haha

http://jammer10am.blogspot.com/

heather said...

Yum! I love y'all's frequent use of peppers! And highest marks on the presentation! :)

Hope you have a lovely weekend, and that it warms up a little.

xoxo

Melissa~ said...

looks yummy!
I love pineapple.

thanks for your comment!

Fashion and Beauty Lights said...

Yummmyyy! You are such a talent dear! ;)

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

That has summer written all over it. Beautiful!

Bren said...

This looks so pretty and tasty! Chef knows what he's doing! ;) Definitely need to try this before Summer is over. (or is it already :/)

xoxo,
Bren @ Chasing Beauty

Valerie said...

Carrie, this salad is making my mouth water! It looks beautiful and tasty. What a perfect dinner party salad (not that I'm having a lot of dinner parties over here, but if I did...). Well, I hope the sun came out a bit for you down there. Thinking of you!

xo
Valerie

LyddieGal said...

Looks quite tasty, and i love your presentation.
I hope your weekend has been hot and sweltering!

Chic on the Cheap

Lexy @ QUIRKY EXPLOSION said...

Hope your weekend consisted of all that you wish it would consist of! (Holy run on slash grammatically incorrect sentence! SHHH.)

And that looks SO DELICIOUS. Yum yum yum!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
QUIRKYEXPLOSION.blogspot.com

ryan said...

I am making this! Hope you had a great weekend!

Raez said...

delish looking recipe, will have to try this at home!

xx raez

Abi said...

Yum! Now I do love watermelon and pineapples so this is just my kind of salad!

Hope the sun comes your way soon!

Peetzi Jen said...

Made this salad yesterday and had to make ANOTHER batch of it today. My hubby LOVES! He's informed me there needs to be a batch on hand at all times. Thanks for sharing...delish!!!

cindy said...

Carrie! as usual, and I don't know how you do it...are you psychic (if so, winning lottery numbers please!)

I'm having the fam over for dinner. The menu will be carne asada off the grill, and other assorted mexican dishes. How absolutely perfect this salad will be to round out my menu. That blast of cool refreshing watermelon will be a welcome palate cleanser from the heat of the salsa and peppers.

Thanks to you and the Chef, once again, I'm looking like I know what I'm doing.

xoxoxo

Elle said...

This sounds light, refreshing, and absolutely delish! Thanks for sharing I definitely want to try this!

stylenuggets said...

Perfect for summer- healthy and cooling!

Lisa Lisa Lisa said...

This looks incredible!!! I love, love playing with spicy and sweet food.
And the pineapple tutorial was just perfect. Can he do one for mangos? There has got to be an easier way to do it than how I have been.

Rachel Elizabeth said...

This looks like one of the appetizers you get at a fancy restaurant.

Diana Mieczan said...

I so have to try this...Yummy:)

kisses,sweetie

Discovery Street said...

I feel ya...i've been wearing a fleece for way too long!

I'm actually from San Diego...moved up to seattle last year where i met my husband...we've been road tripping and when we went through SD I was hoping he'd fall in love with it. he did...if only we could find our dream jobs there!

Kristen said...

Wow, this looks soo good! And it's so pretty to look at as well :)

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails