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Coffee and Crumpets

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Strawberry and Melon Salad with Harissa Vinaigrette

strawberry and melon salad

So, I’m scrambling like crazy to post some summer recipes before autumn officially rolls in. The Autumnal Equinox this year is September 22. I have a few days, I’ll cram in what I can! 

The day time weather has gone back to feeling like summer again after the rain finally went away this week. The nights however, have definitely taken on a fall feeling. I love this time of the year; changing colours, warm days and cool nights, even the air smells different. 

I was thinking why I fell behind posting seasonal summer recipes this year and then it occurred to me that Ramadan was bang in the middle of summer this year. I was busy posting holiday recipes. 

Strawberry and Melon salad

Before I embrace autumn and all its seasonal glory, here’s a bit of a fluff recipe. I always feel a bit of a fraud posting salad recipes because, let’s face it, who doesn’t know how to make a salad? (Actually, you’d be surprised the number of bad salads I’ve had, there are people who don’t know how to make a salad.)

Truthfully, the only reason I’m posting this recipe is because it was so gosh darned gorgeous! And pretty delicious too! I saw a photo of a similar salad on Food 52, and purely because of its gorgeousness did I decide to make my version.

The original salad had many things going on, but one thing, besides the vibrant colour, that caught my fancy was the harissa in the dressing. Yep, my ears perked up and my eyes were as round as plates when I saw harissa on the list.

Strawberry and Melon Salad

So, I went to work with what I had in my kitchen that day, and using my own honey Dijon vinaigrette, I added a dollop of harissa, and the salad was created; Strawberry and Melon Salad with Harissa Vinaigrette. And was it good.

Like all salad recipes, its open to improvisation. Add what you like and take out what you don’t. Keep the melon, of course! I personally, don’t like tomatoes and melons together, and so I kept my salad very simple, just strawberries and melons, with salad leaves and red onions to accompany. The slightly spicy harissa dressing was fabulous on the fruity salad. Some examples of fruit and vegetables you can add that will complement the dressing: berries, cucumbers, sprouts, watercress, green beans, butternut squash, jicama, and avocados.

I’m going to list the quantities I used, but you can eyeball just about everything. I bought a super sweet cantaloupe from my local organic farm and it was amazing, so if you source great local ingredients, you will get a stellar end product.

Strawberry and Melon Salad

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Strawberry and Melon Salad with Harissa Vinaigrette

Calories: 1478

Fat: 112g

refreshing summer salad with a spicy kick
Ingredients
  • 1 cantaloupe melon, diced or in balls with a melon baller (looks pretty)
  • 1 pound/455g punnet strawberries, sliced or whole if small
  • ½ small red onion, sliced
  • couple of handfuls of mixed salad greens
  • **You can add any other fruits or vegetables of choice, if desired**
  • Harissa vinaigrette to taste
  • HARISSA VINAIGRETTE
  • ½ cup/118mL fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup/118mL extra virgin olive oil (or more if needed)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 heaping teaspoon Harissa paste (or more if you like spicy)
Instructions
  1. HARISSA VINAIGRETTE
  2. Add all the ingredients for the vinaigrette in a jar and shake.
  3. Taste and adjust to your preference; you may like more olive oil, or more honey or more harissa.
  4. Store any extra in the fridge
Pretty Simple
  1. Arrange salad on a plate or a bowl, drizzle dressing over top and toss.
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Strawberry and Melon Salad

 Hope you’re enjoying your week, we have started drying up here a little bit now but the hardest recovery is still to come. Please keep Colorado in your thoughts and prayers.

I love to hear from my readers so please leave me a comment! If you enjoyed this post please share!

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Comments

  1. Mireya @myhealthyeatinghabits says

    October 11, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    What a beautiful salad. Such a nice balance of colors, tastes and textures. I pinned it to Pinterest.
    Mireya @myhealthyeatinghabits recently posted..Tex-Mex Stuffed SweetpotatoesMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      October 12, 2013 at 2:52 pm

      Thank you Mireya for stopping by and for your kind comment.

  2. Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says

    September 22, 2013 at 11:52 am

    I just discovered harissa a couple of months ago and went wild over the flavor. I’ve been pinning everything harissa ever since … so count this as another. Pinned. 🙂
    Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) recently posted..Mediterranean SalmonMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 23, 2013 at 9:13 am

      Don’t you just love it??!! I love that stuff and put it on everything!

  3. Charles says

    September 20, 2013 at 6:50 am

    I love harissa – what an ingenious idea Nazneen. I usually just spread it on bread, or sometimes use it as a rub for meat or fish, but this is a wonderful idea! Will definitely try this!
    Charles recently posted..Port Jelly to be jelly of!My Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 23, 2013 at 9:22 am

      Oh the dressing was so good Charles! You must try it!

  4. Bam's Kitchen says

    September 19, 2013 at 10:37 pm

    Sweet, savory and spicy. I love the flavors going on in your salad. While the rest of the world is dreading it getting cooler I am thankful that finally the layer of humidity and extreme heat are finally lifting in Hong Kong and a bit more tolerable. I can enjoy this salad all year around.
    Bam’s Kitchen recently posted..Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken with Spinach and Feta and Roasted PeppersMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 23, 2013 at 9:26 am

      Me too! I am so glad the cooler weather is finally here!

  5. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

    September 19, 2013 at 6:59 am

    I’m so happy that you decided to post the salad recipe. Not only is it beautiful with its colors but I love the dressing. Sweet and spicy go together so well. 🙂
    Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Garden To Table…Ripe TomatoesMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 23, 2013 at 9:27 am

      Thank you Karen! I agree, sweet and spicy is like the best combination!

  6. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says

    September 19, 2013 at 12:58 am

    Gorgeous salad with such creative dressing! While you are cramming in summer delights, try to rest up and relax 🙂
    Kiran @ KiranTarun.com recently posted..Whole Wheat Honey BreadMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 23, 2013 at 9:31 am

      Thanks Kiran! Thank you for your kind words, I’m trying to take it easy, not always easy with 4 kids xx

  7. Juliana says

    September 18, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    Wow, I love the sound and the look of this salad…melon and strawberry…awesome dressing Nazneen.
    Thanks for the recipe and hope you are having a great week 😀
    Juliana recently posted..Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Lemon Cilantro DressingMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 18, 2013 at 9:45 pm

      Thank you Juliana! I am having a good week thanks!!

  8. easyfoodsmith says

    September 18, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    I regret not having posted any mango recipe this summer. Now I have to wait till the next year…
    The harissa vinaigrette sounds brilliant with the fruit salad. The pairing should have tasted phenomenal!
    easyfoodsmith recently posted..DHANIWAL KORMA w/ PESHAWARI NAANMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:49 pm

      I didn’t get to mangoes either. Just too may delicious food out there and its difficult to get to them all! Thanks Taruna.

  9. john@kitchenriffs says

    September 18, 2013 at 11:27 am

    I post what I eat, and I eat so many salads! Plus you’d be amazed at how many people really don’t know how to make salads. Or other things – I was talking to someone the other day who’s a decent cook but wasn’t sure what went into a Club Sandwich! Anyway, bring on the salads! This one is terrific. I’ve used hot stuff (including harissa) in vinaigrette before – it adds such a zesty touch, doesn’t it? Good recipe – thanks.
    john@kitchenriffs recently posted..Beer BreadMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:51 pm

      Thanks John! I do like a bit of a zing in my salads especially with salads with fruit. Fruit and spice were made for each other! And I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who’s had bad salads!

  10. Ash-foodfashionparty says

    September 18, 2013 at 10:58 am

    Oh, how beautiful is this. I am love with harissa and this sounds crazy yummy. Pinning this.
    Take care
    Ash-foodfashionparty recently posted..SPICY GARBANZO PEANUT SALAD – ‘Sundal’My Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:51 pm

      Thanks Asha! I thought it was so pretty!

  11. Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says

    September 18, 2013 at 7:22 am

    It can be pretty simple but beautifully done, Nazneen. I love how colorful, fresh, and delish this salad is…Pinned!
    Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted..Cuca de Maçã (Apple Crumb Cake) — Looking Forward to Autumn!My Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:52 pm

      Thanks Denise! It was really quite simple but tonnes of flavour.

  12. Lisa the Gourmet Wog says

    September 18, 2013 at 5:52 am

    WOW strawberries and harissa are certainly one combo I’ve never thought about before, sounds like a brilliant combo, certainly very unique indeed 🙂
    Lisa the Gourmet Wog recently posted..Kale TabouliMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:52 pm

      Thanks Lisa! It was a most excellent combination!

  13. Heavenly says

    September 18, 2013 at 1:12 am

    I’m not a big salad person, but I’d love to try that, its absolutely beautiful.
    *kisses* Heavenly
    Heavenly recently posted..How to Get HappyMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:53 pm

      Thanks Heavenly! You can have it on the side of a big burger 😉

  14. Hotly Spiced says

    September 17, 2013 at 11:52 pm

    That’s a very pretty salad, Nazneen and I love all the colours and I’m sure the flavours would be wonderful. I love a bit of heat so the harissa vinaigrette sounds fabulous xx
    Hotly Spiced recently posted..The Hunter Wine Bar, MosmanMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:54 pm

      Thanks Charlie, it was really good.; very simple but great flavours and a bit of spice.

  15. Balvinder says

    September 17, 2013 at 11:14 pm

    Love this idea of using harissa vinaigrette in this summer salad. bookmarking it for next summer.

    • Nazneen says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:54 pm

      Thanks Bal, there’s still time to make it!!

  16. mariyam says

    September 17, 2013 at 8:50 pm

    Why not? It is gorgeous, and until very recently, I didn’t know how to make a salad either. (: hugs.

    • Nazneen says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:55 pm

      Thanks Mariyam. You’re quite the expert now! xx

  17. Sugar et al says

    September 17, 2013 at 8:49 pm

    I agree with you about feeling guilty about posting salad recipes. Also curry recipes for me..being an Indian you are expected to be good at this. But this one is so absolutely gorgeous. The dressing is so creative too, a stunner! I am bookmarking this!
    Sugar et al recently posted..Apple and Cinnamon Beignets with Cinnamon Sugar and Butterscotch SauceMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:57 pm

      It’s hard when it comes to food you know how to make and stuff you want to make. Yes, curries are easy even for me but I think others want to see those even if we don’t or our families don’t. Its like when I have people for dinner, I always have to make Indian food because most of my friends are not Indian and they want that food. I want to have a go with another type of cuisine but no, I end up with Indian food!

  18. Jen L | Tartine and Apron Strings says

    September 17, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    Ooooh! Love harissa vinaigrette! I’m always looking for salad ideas…the whole year ’round!
    Jen L | Tartine and Apron Strings recently posted..Roasted Bone Marrow SaladMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:58 pm

      Thanks Jen! I have a hard time with salads during winter though!

  19. glamorous glutton says

    September 17, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    That Harissa dressing is genius! I love this salad so fresh and so different. The simplicity is great. GG xx
    glamorous glutton recently posted..All In One Hot DogsMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:58 pm

      Thanks GG, it turned out really well actually. The dressing was fantastic.

Trackbacks

  1. The daily menu: Thursday, 09.26.2013. | Recipes Home says:
    September 26, 2013 at 7:44 am

    […] 4. Lunch – Salad: Strawberry and Melon Salad with Harissa Vinaigrette – coffeeandcrumpets.com 5. Snack: Leftover dough scraps – sherisilver.com 6. Dinner: Open-Faced Eggplant and Tomato […]

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