WATERMELON and POMEGRANATE SALAD with WHIPPED FETA

I love the salty-sweet combo of this salad – it’s the perfect cool down on a hot day. Pomegranate adds the most beautiful texture and tart flavour. The trick to getting the seeds out of a pomegranate easily is to roll it firmly on a bench before you break it open. This loosens the seeds from the membranes that hold them in place, making it much easier to get the little beauties out.

Preparation Time 20 minutes | Serves 4 as a side or light meal

1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) seedless watermelon, peeled and cut into chunks

40 g (1½ oz/¼ cup) toasted almonds, coarsely chopped

Seeds from ½ pomegranate

1 small French shallot, thinly sliced

35 g (1¼ oz/1 cup) wild rocket (arugula)

1 large handful mint leaves

2½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Finely grated zest and juice of ½ lemon, or to taste

½ small garlic clove, finely chopped

Sumac, for dusting

WHIPPED FETA

150 g (5½ oz) feta cheese

2 tablespoons olive oil

Finely grated zest and juice of ½ lemon

½ small garlic clove

To make the whipped feta, blend the ingredients in a blender or small food processor until smooth, season to taste and spread over a serving platter.

Arrange the watermelon over the whipped feta and scatter with the almonds, pomegranate and shallot, then with the rocket and mint leaves.

Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, lemon zest, juice and garlic in a bowl to combine, season to taste and drizzle over the salad. Scatter with sumac and serve.