As the spring sun starts to shine and the days get longer, I find myself craving light, refreshing dishes that are perfect for those lazy afternoons spent with the family. Just last weekend, I stumbled upon a fantastic recipe for a Melon Prosciutto Salad with Mint Basil Vinaigrette on My Modern Cookery, and I just knew I had to give it a try!
This beautiful and colorful salad is a harmonious blend of sweet, salty, and herby flavors. The combination of juicy melon, savory prosciutto, and fresh mint and basil is a match made in heaven. I even added my personal touch by throwing in a handful of crumbled feta cheese for an extra layer of flavor and creaminess.
Ingredients
The Base
- 8 cups mixed melon balls or cubes (I used cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon)
- 8 thin slices of prosciutto, torn into pieces
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
The Dressing
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, tightly packed
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, tightly packed
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Steps
- First, prepare the melon by scooping out balls using a melon baller. If you don’t have a melon baller, feel free to cut the melon into bite-sized cubes. Use a combination of cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon for vibrant colors and flavors.
- Next, arrange the melon balls on a large serving platter and then scatter the torn prosciutto slices over the top.
- In a food processor, combine the mint leaves, basil leaves, olive oil, lemon juice, and honey to make the vinaigrette. Process it until it’s smooth and well-blended and then season it with salt and pepper to taste.
- Then drizzle the Mint Basil Vinaigrette generously over the melon and prosciutto. At this point, I added my personal touch by sprinkling crumbled feta cheese over the salad for a creamy, tangy contrast.
- To finish, garnish the salad with the roughly chopped mint and basil leaves which provides a beautiful pop of green and an extra touch of freshness.
How to Serve the Melon Prosciutto Salad
I love serving salads in a large salad bowl as opposed to a deconstructed style on a flat wood board. Below are some of my favorite serveware options along with plenty of accessories! For more salad recipes, check out my blog about my favorite egg salad recipe or my favorite on-the-go salads in a jar!
