Chinese Watermelon Salad

East meets Mediterranean in this fusion creation that mixes classic Asian flavors with the sweetness of watermelon and vine-ripened tomatoes.

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 ⁄4 cup rice vinegar

1 ⁄2 teaspoon lemon juice

1 ⁄4 teaspoon chili sauce

1 ⁄4 teaspoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon sesame paste or peanut butter

2 tablespoons water

2 cups watercress

1 small tomato

1 leaf Romaine lettuce, shredded 10 1-inch cubes of watermelon, green peel and seeds removed

1. For the dressing, place the rice vinegar, lemon juice, chili sauce, sesame oil, sesame paste, and water in a blender and process until smooth. Place in a bowl and set aside.

2. Wash the watercress. Drain thoroughly, and remove the stems. Cut the tomato into thin slices.

3. Toss the watercress with the Romaine lettuce and tomato. Place in a serving bowl and add the watermelon cubes. Drizzle the dressing over. Refrigerate leftover dressing in a sealed jar. It will keep for 3–4 days.

Peanut Butter Is a Substitute

The more authentic version of this dish uses sesame paste. Made from toasted sesame seeds, sesame paste has a sweet flavor similar to peanut butter, which makes a convenient substitute. Although it is also made from ground sesame seeds, the Middle Eastern tahini is not a good substitute for sesame paste: It is made with untoasted sesame seeds, giving it a very different flavor.

hancheng

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