Sweet Melon, Cucumber & Goat Cheese Salad

When Ben goes away on a work trip and leaves me to my own devices for a week, actual meals go out the window and get replaced with bowls of melon.  Followed by bigger bowls of ice cream. Which is actually kind of balanced, so get up off me, okay Mom?

Just kidding.  My mom loves ice cream.

Melons are SO good in the Bay area right now.  I’ve been into the crenshaws, but there are plenty of great varieties to choose from.  Honeydew.  Casaba.  Charantais.  Juan Canary!  (These aren’t made-up things, I’m 97% sure.)  They’re piled high at the markets, firm and full of color, super sweet and heavy with juice.

Tossed with some crunchy chopped cucumber, a handful of creamy goat cheese and a bit of bright basil, a bowl of melon turns into a pretty respectable meal.  Real simple.  Real sweet.  Real good.  Just like summer!

If you don’t want to make an entire meal of melon, this salad would be really nice alongside some fish tacos or simple grilled chicken.  The ice cream is optional.  Up to you.  (But you should probably have a little.)  (Because we’re friends, right?)  (We’re friends.) (Love  you.)

Sweet Melon, Cucumber & Goat Cheese Salad

Ingredients:

• 4 cups chopped ripe melon (such as honeydew or crenshaw)
• 2 cups chopped, seeded cucumber
• 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
• 5-10 large basil leaves, thinly sliced (chiffonade)
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup good quality olive oil

Directions:

In a large bowl, toss together the melon and cucumber.  Add the goat cheese, basil, salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil.  Toss gently.

Enjoy immediately, or chill for a few hours before serving.

Makes about 6 cups.