Heirloom Tomato, Basil, + Watermelon Salad

I’m a sucker for heirloom tomatoes. They always catch my eye at the market and they’re always so delicious. Topped with burrata cheese, good olive oil, and some salt and pepper? Mm, mm, I’m in heaven! Since I try not to eat too much cheese, however, I have to find other ways to enjoy heirloom tomatoes, however. This sublimely summer watermelon salad with basil combines two of my favorites summer treats – watermelon and heirloom tomatoes both big and small…

Watermelon Salad with Basil

This recipe is really straightforward and can be made last minute, which is always a plus (especially in the summer when I can’t seem to think too far ahead for food).

I LOVE that tomatoes and watermelon are two fruits (yes, they’re both fruits) that don’t take time to ripen. You can buy both of them at the market and enjoy them right when you get home.

It’s because of this fact that this watermelon salad is a bit of a default for weeknight dinners and any occasion where I’m in charge of bring the salad to someone else’s place!

I love topping this watermelon salad with basil and pine nuts because it makes it a little more savory – not so sweet. The combination of basil and pine nuts gives a nice pesto flavor occasionally, which is nice.

I always try to multitask while cooking, chopping the garnish while things are cooking, which means I easily forget how delicate basil is until it’s all chopped up. Once cut, basil leaves start to blacken (I’m supposing oxidation and science are involved here!), so remember not to cut your basil until just before serving or, when making pesto, just before adding it to the blender!

Thank you to Melissa’s for the baby heirloom tomatoes, basil, and pine nuts.