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Marvelous Melon Vinaigrette

Cookbook: Salads & Dressings

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Marvelous Melon Vinaigrette

Keep this melon dressing handy when it comes time to fire up the grill. Use it on steak, chicken, grilled veggies (or fruits!), and more.

By Norann Oleson

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Grilled fruit ready for dressing with melon vinaigrette

Time was a time when vinaigrette was vinegar, oil, and—maybe—salt and pepper. But we’ve come a long way since then. A winter melon like honeydew is the perfect candidate to be the base for a light, sweet vinaigrette with plenty of potential and staying power.

When someone says vinaigrette, you don’t have to think salad. You could use this vinaigrette on a salad, but you don’t have to stop there. Step beyond the salad bowl and try using this vinaigrette in a new way. You can find a great balance between sweet and savory.

And you don’t have to use any particular melon; when your melons are ripe, take part of one and try using it in a vinaigrette. You may be surprised at the new pop of flavor you’ll get with this unexpected ingredient.

Here are just a few ideas for expanding your vinaigrette applications:

  • Brush on slices of French or Italian bread, then grill or broil.
  • Dress up your mozzarella, tomato, and basil salad with your homemade vinaigrette.
  • Drizzle over grilled cantaloupe wedges.
  • Add vinaigrette to a cheese plate for dipping.
  • Spruce up a grain salad with a splash of vinaigrette.
  • Kick your grilled vegetables up a notch when you drizzle vinaigrette over them just before serving.
  • Give grilled tofu a tangy counterpoint.
  • Do your seafood a favor, and drizzle vinaigrette over lobster, shrimp, fish, or scallops.
  • Perk up a rice noodle bowl.
  • Be a sandwich hero; drizzle a little vinaigrette over that Italian sub.
  • Give your carrot-cabbage slaw a new kick with a fresh taste.
  • Drizzle vinaigrette over oven-roasted Brussels sprouts or asparagus.
  • Use vinaigrette as a dip for steamed artichokes.
  • Add some zing to fresh-made salsa.
  • Serve on the side as a dipping sauce for fresh veggies or pita chips.

Try changing up your choice of herbs for a distinctly different flavor. Consider swapping in fresh mint to give your vinaigrette a totally different taste! Let us know your favorite flavor combinations!

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Grilled fruit ready for dressing with melon vinaigrette

Marvelous Melon Vinaigrette

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

This vinaigrette is a perfect balance of sweet, fragrant, and tangy. You can use it on salads, or brush it on meat, veggies, or fruit on the grill. Try spreading a little of this on a grilled wedge of cantaloupe for a whole new fruit experience!

  • Author: Norann Oleson
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Chilling Time: 3 hours
  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cup dressing 1x
  • Category: Salads & Dressings

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup cubed melon (cantaloupe, honeydew, etc.)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions

  1. Put all ingredients into a blender.
  2. Blend at high speed until the mixture is completely smooth.
  3. Pour into a glass container with an airtight lid.
  4. Refrigerate for 3 hours or more to blend flavors.

Have you made this vinaigrette? It’s so easy to make, and it has so much potential! Please tell us how you used it.

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Tags

basil, mint

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Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

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