Childhood memories of eating a freshly picked watermelon by my dad from the farm and eating it with our own dried, peppered gbejniet (Maltese cheese), is what resulted in this recipe. That and all things Mediterranean.
I have seen many savoury watermelon salads recently and have decided to make my own. I wanted to use our very own dried, peppered and kept in vinegar Maltese cheese in this salad. Watermelon and dried gbejniet go hand in hand. If you don’t have this cheese then you can use feta which is what most people seem to eat watermelon with if they are not having it on its own. I am a little biased though and think that nothing quite compares to this combination.
Chicken and watermelon, yes please. And on top of that why not add some bacon. Both grilled with, basil, mint and honey. Toasted almonds to finish off.
As an option, thin sliced red onion can be also added.
I hope you are enjoying your Summer if you are on my side of the world. For everyone else, Summer is only around the corner. Keep this recipe in your memory bank.
For anyone who doesn’t yet want to venture into watermelon and chicken as a combination then I our very own traditional way of eating watermelon is just as great. That is with our very own pickled dried and peppered Maltese cheese (gbrejneit).
- 4 chicken breasts or thighs
- 4 rashes of bacon chopped into small cubes
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Juice of 1 lemon
- basil
- mint
- bacon chopped into
- Rocket leaves
- Watermelon cut into smallish rectangular pieces
- 4 small peppered gbejniet or some crumbled feta
- Toasted almonds
- Olive oil
- Sliced red onion if you wish.
- Mix the chicken, bacon, honey, lemon juice, some chopped basil and mint.
- Leave for half an hour.
- Grill the chicken and bacon (with the juices) until cooked through.
- Now assemble the salad.
- Place some rocket leaves in the bottom of a salad bowl.
- Add in the watermelon and crumbled gbejniet.
- Add some more chopped basil and mint and finish off with some toasted almonds.
- Make a dressing of olive oil, a little lemon juice and honey.
- Drizzle on top.
- Season with a little more pepper.
- You can also add some thinly sliced red onion if you wish.