Strawberry and Watermelon Salad

This recipe is by far one of my favourites. We published it last year on June 20th but we had to bring it back a bit earlier because this time around since it is a side salad you’ll want to overwork this season. I’ve already started serving it and the four kids we had for dinner  last week all gobbled it up. It’s that good. Pinky swear.

I don’t know about you, but I’m out of breath. It’s the end of the school year in addition to every extra curricular program so there’s a lot going on. In the next seven days, we have a ballet dress rehearsal, ballet recital, school graduation ceremony, end of school party as well as a birthday party. I’ll have to muster a gift for every teacher and instructor, don’t forget music, swimming and tennis. Oh, and it’s me and my husband’s anniversary. (Please forward any good gift ideas.) It’s enough to make a mom who works on the side a little nuts. It’s why I fell in love with this salad.

All photos by Maya Visnyei

With everything that is going on around us, I also had to entertain one evening. This salad by Whole Foods saved my life because of its insane simplicity. It took all of 10 minutes to put together and Scarlett did most of it. The best part–it was so delicious.

Here’s how the prep for this recipe started: The watermelon rolled off the island and smashed on the floor. Yup, that’s right, we are a well-oiled, cooking machine over here at SPC.  So Scarlett picked it up and said, “Well, at least that’s done.” Thank goodness for the humor of small children.  I sliced the watermelon as Scarlett hulled the strawberries. Then, as I chopped the strawberries, Scarlett whisked all the ingredients together for the dressing. Once we get rolling, we seem to be quite efficient.

Scarlett kept “oohing” and “aahing” over the watermelon and strawberries. She stole strawberries from our photographer Maya’s little set-up of ingredients and swiped watermelon off the cutting board. However, the second we added the fruit to the bowl of dressing she made, she announced, “Now I’m definitely not eating it.” I quickly replied, “What?!” I know she’s not a fan of onions (unless they’re battered and fried), but I didn’t expect that.

Later that evening, we had the salad. My husband said, “I love it, but I would have liked it better with less onion.”  Then, on cue, Scarlett said, “Me too.”  What do they know? The onions were great and a nice balance to the sweetness of the fruits. You try it and tell me.