Pretty in Pink: Watermelon and Basil Salad with Tahini Dressing

I’ve never particularly liked watermelon on its own. It's so festive! So hydrating! (Such a travesty, I know.) But add a liberal handful of basil, some watermelon radishes for color, and a drizzle of tangy, earthy tahini-lime dressing to make the whole situation millennial pink? Now we’re talkin’. The quintessential watermelon salad recipe calls for feta or, in this case, petit chevre made from goat’s milk. If you’re not about that dairy life, swap in cubed avocado or some good crumbly cashew cheese. Enjoy it as a side, or add arugula and top with barbecue-roasted chicken to make it a meal. Customization is strongly encouraged! This salad is a breeze to assemble, just don’t prepare it too far in advance: it’s best devoured within the hour.*Prep time: 15 minutes.

WATERMELON SALAD INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon Raw Honey¼ cup Tahini¼ cup Olive Oil¼ cup Filtered WaterJuice of 2 LimesTeaspoon Flaky Sea Salt, plus more to tasteSeveral Grinds Pepper, plus more to taste3 Watermelon Radishes1 Seedless Baby Watermelon, about 3 pounds1 cup Petite Chevre Goat Cheese (or sub 1 Whole De-Seeded, Cubed Avocado)2 packed cups basil, stems removed

WATERMELON SALAD ASSEMBLY

1 | Blend the first seven ingredients into a creamy tahini dressing.2 | Scoop out the watermelon flesh, cut into cubes or use a melon baller for melon balls, placing in a large bowl. Discard rind.3 | Wash and thinly slice the watermelon radishes and add to the watermelon bowl. Discard both ends of each radish.4 | Chiffonade the basil leaves and add to the watermelon bowl.5 | Add ⅓ of the dressing recipe and lightly toss the salad to incorporate. Artfully drizzle another ⅓ of the recipe on the top, saving the rest.6 | Add crumbled goat cheese or a plant-based equivalent.Optional: Add another pinch of salt. If serving individually, garnish with a lime wedge for DIY squeezing. Rose Truesdale is a lifestyle writer and marketer, recipe developer, budding mystic, and former Midwesterner living in Berlin, Germany. She’s the founder of a wellness magazine and full-service creative agency called Truth and Beauty Berlin, and loves a new project. Email her at info@rosetruesdale.com or find her on Instagram @rosetruesdale.