This watermelon,feta and mint salad is a fantastic salad I created in my kitchen last week. Here is how it came to be:

I got a few herbs for a makeshift garden on my little ledge (its NOT a balcony) that I really enjoy taking care of. See that basil plant? He kept me company while studying for my medical licensing exams. He sat right next to me all day, and I made sure he got all the sun and water he needed. I sound like Tom Hanks with his ball named Wilson from Cast Away, eh? I think I did get a little cabin fever while stuck inside studying.

Now that Im on vacation though, I can let my plants outside for some sunshine (when we get it) and then I get to use them in my cookingand I guess for company too! Wohoo! My mint was getting outta control so I snipped it good, real good. And thats how this watermelon salad came to be. Thank you my minty friends.

This salad is really awesome as a side to any BBQ. Ive made it twice in the same week once as a side for steaks and another as a side for lamb. Its fresh, creamy, peppery, zesty and every other adjective. Its a real winner. And a Jennie Original.

Watermelon Mint and Feta Salad

Ingredients:

• 1/8th of a watermelon (you can make it into larger cubes, or into smaller diced pieces)
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (add more if you like your cheese!)
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, julienned
• 4 cups arugula
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• juice of 2 limes
• 1 tsp honey
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Mix together the olive oil, lime juice, honey, salt and pepper. Set aside.
2. When ready to serve, place in a large bowl the watermelon, mint, arugula and feta cheese.
3. Toss with the dressing and serve.

Its an easy one. And a yummy one. And a healthy one. Oh My! Guess you should try it out!

Who ever said fall had to be full of squash, pumpkin and zombies (duh- halloween)?

Side Comment about Zombies: Is it normal that when I hear the theme song for the Walking Dead through the thin walls of my neighbors apartment that I want to dress up in dirt and and scare the living crap out of them? I mean, they are super loud all the timeso they deserve to poop themselves.

Right.

Its Fall. Everyone is wearing un-form fitting sweaters, layers, and cooking/baking something orange. My kitchen has never conformed to rules, if anything I step so far away from them like the time it was a seriously cold canadian winter day and I made a Thai Mango salad. Im different! So Goodbye pumpkin, hello vibrant colors!

The best thing about this salad, is how versatile it is take out what you dont like, add what you do! You can also 1) serve it with just the peppers (or the additions) as a side for many meat or fish dishes, 2) put on baguette for beautiful crostinis, 3) Toss it with arugula for a fullfilling salad.

Roasted Mediterranean Pepper Salad

Ingredients:

• Variety of bell peppers +/- spicy pepper (like jalepeno)(4-6)
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp green onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp shallots, diced
• 1 tbsp capers, drained
• 1 tbsp kalamata olives, chopped
• Feta cheese
• salt and pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

The smell of tomato had been wafting through every market/grocery store this past little while. They are beautiful shapes and colors and are screaming to be used. Except if youre cooking for my boyfriend he hates tomatoes!

So, it was not a great idea last summer to make a meal in which tomatos played a role in every dish. You know, like brushetta, tomato and buffalo mozarella salad and spaghetti with fresh tomoato sauce. No, that would just be silly.

Isnt he a lucky guy to have a gal like me?? oops.

So this year, I knew that it would only be fair to eat all the tomatoes by myself. And boy, I was a lucky gal! The sweet tomatoes with the spicy peppers and smooth cheese all amazing!

Tomato Salad with Mint & Feta

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
• 4 to 6 large tomatoes, preferably a mix of red and yellow
• 1/4 cup shredded fresh mint
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

1. Whisk balsamic vinegar with oil, sugar and salt in a small bowl. Stir in onion and jalapeno.
2. Thickly slice tomatoes and arrange on a platter. Pour dressing evenly overtop. Let stand 30 min.
3. Sprinkle with mint and cheese.

From Chatelaine Magazine