Even though I have not done much cooking this summer, I do really miss it. I love everything about cooking. Grocery shopping, chopping, mixing, the whole deal. Tonight, I felt like cooking, and I am so glad that I did. My husband has been in DC during the week this summer and coming home on Friday afternoons. We don’t talk much Monday through Thursday so it is nice to reconnect over a meal. A home cooked meal is even nicer since neither of us has been eating as well or as healthy as we normally do. I was sent Southern Living What’s for Supper: 30-Minute Meals Everyone Will Love, and I kept coming back to this recipe for Watermelon, Greens, and Pecan Salad. It looked so refreshing, and I loved the idea of a pepper jelly dressing. It was really hot today, and this was the perfect summer dinner. Light and fresh. And most of all low effort. Winner all around.
The funny thing about this book is that I already have a few of the recipes in heavy rotation on my dinner table. My Honey Garlic Balsamic Chicken, which I make at least a few times a month. And the cover recipe, Corn, Pesto, and Tomato Pizza, is also a summer time favorite. Grab a copy, a be inspired to change up your weeknight dinner routine.
Salad:
5 cups cubed and seeded watermelon
1 (6-ounce) package mixed greens (I used Romaine)
grilled chicken breast (or rotisserie)
1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
3/4 cup toasted pecans
Dressing:
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup pepper jelly
1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 Tablespoon grated onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil
In a small bowl, combine rice wine vinegar, pepper jelly, lime juice, onion, salt and pepper.
Whisk until the jelly begins to dissolve.
Slowly add the oil, whisking until it all combines. Set aside.
I tossed some chicken breast with lime zest, lime juice, a little honey, 2 cloves of garlic, salt and pepper, and a little olive oil. Wes grilled it while I put the salad together.
Toss the watermelon, greens, blue cheese, and pecans. Drizzle dressing over, or toss.
Slice chicken and serve on top.
Ingredients
- 5 cups cubed and seeded watermelon
- 1 (6-ounce) package mixed greens (I used Romaine)
- grilled chicken breast (or rotisserie)
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 3/4 cup toasted pecans
- 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup pepper jelly
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon grated onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine rice wine vinegar, pepper jelly, lime juice, onion, salt and pepper. Whisk until the jelly begins to dissolve. Slowly add the oil, whisking until it all combines. Set aside.
- I tossed some chicken breast with lime zest, lime juice, a little honey, 2 cloves of garlic, salt and pepper, and a little olive oil. Wes grilled it while I put the salad together.
- Toss the watermelon, greens, blue cheese, and pecans. Drizzle dressing over, or toss. Slice chicken and serve on top.
I am Bree. I love to cook. Even more than I love to take pictures.
That vinaigrette sounds spectacular! Perfect for such a lovely salad.
Jen @ Savory Simple recently posted..Corn Gratin
It is just a little bit different. What other kinds of jelly can I use now?
Mmm, perfect for the abundance of watermelon I have in the fridge:)
Perfect June!
That’s looking lovely!! The pictures are so beautiful, one would feel hungry watching them haha.
thank you so much Minnie! What a cute name.
Looks delish! I will have to make this!
Did you like it?
[...] and Pecan Salad with Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette July 28, 2012 By bakedbree 4 Comments If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for [...]
You have answered my Pepper Jelly prayers! I am growing peppers and herbs in my garden this year and have taken up home canning to help keep my yummy, fresh produce. By coincidence I stumbled across a couple delicious sounding pepper jelly recipes and undertook the challenge of canning something new. Of course, I now need some new recipes for the pepper jelly, which you have so kindly shared with us. It’s true – God helps those who help themselves! Thanks so much.
I am so jealous, I LOVE pepper jelly. By far my favorite way to eat it is on a cracker with cream cheese. Yum.
Mmmm, it looks so refreshing! I have missed cooking too!! I need to get back into it
Carla @ Carla’s Confections recently posted..Fresh Friday: Fruit Salad
I really miss cooking. The cooking I have done this summer has been survival cooking. I need to spend some serious QT in my new kitchen.
The first time I had a savory watermelon salad I thought, YUCK! Just like the first time as a kid I heard about Carrot Cake and Zucchini Bread and all the other times veggies and fruits are first put to new and exciting uses.
We now are plant-based low-oil eaters, so the wheels are turning how I can do this without the chicken, cheese and oil. But where there is a will there is a recipe. Long live brave cooks!
all squared up
Jessica recently posted..When adults go to the fair
I hear you! This easy to do without chicken!
This sounds so delicious! Love this!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar recently posted..Strawberry Vanilla Fridge Jam
It is perfect for a hot summer night!
Love all the different flavors- perfect for summer!
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings recently posted..Spoiled Bride- Final Edition
It is perfect hot day food.
The whole salad looks great – it seems like watermelon in salads is so chic right now. The pepper jelly dressing looks like a great twist – thanks for sharing!
-Jade
You are welcome Jade!
I LOVE pepper jelly, but I’ve never thought of putting it into a vinaigrette! Sounds like something I need to try
Katie @ Blonde Ambition recently posted..An Olympic Weekend in Photos
I had never thought to either, I saw that recipe in the book and knew that dressing needed to be in my life.
Those cubes of watermellon look so juicy and delicious! With how much I love red pepper, I’m amazed I’ve never heard of pepper jelly! Your vinaigrette sounds great and I’m looking forward to trying this new ingredient!
Julia {The Roasted Root} recently posted..Roasted Vegetable Tacos
You’ve never had pepper jelly and cream cheese on crackers? Divine snack.