Grilled Watermelon Salad

When I was nine years old I won a televised watermelon eating contest. Yup that's right, I was on a small game show called 'Dialing For Dollars' which was broad casted out of Philadelphia. Audience members voted on who they thought would be the winner. I was competing against two pimply fourteen year old boys, who immediately assumed I was a big joke. Even at nine, their lack of respect only charged my watermelon engine. I kicked @$$, winning a 25.00 dollars gift certificate to Sears. I remember purchasing a furry hot pink bean bag chair and hoop earrings. For a nine year old life was good.

As an adult I still like watermelon, I just find myself searching for new ways to serve it. The idea of grilling watermelon sounded really interesting. The result was a delicious summer salad loaded with lots of terrific flavors and great color.

• Mixed baby greens


• 1 small watermelon sliced


• 1/2 cup of feta cheese crumbled


• 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts


• olive oil


• aged balsamic vinegar


• salt


• fresh ground pepper

Place baby greens on plate, top with feta and toasted pine nuts. On a very hot grill sear watermelon slices on both sides. Remove from grill and cut into cubes. (Be careful to cut at least 1/2 an inch from rind, as I learned that grilled rind is very funky). Place cubes on top of greens. Drizzle with aged balsamic and olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, serve ASAP.