Grilled Cantaloupe Mediterranean Salad

Like a warm, sunny day, this combination of bright colors and flavors is both sweet and satisfying.

Ingredients

Salad

  • 2 cups loosely packed basil leaves
  • ½ cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, sliced into ½-1 inch sections
  • 1½ cup tomatoes, halved
  • blueberry balsamic reduction for drizzling (recipe below)
  • olive oil for grilling and drizzling
  • coarsely cracked black pepper
  • sea salt

 Reduction

  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 6 ounces whole blueberries
  • juice of ½ a lemon
  • 2 sprigs thyme

Combine all ingredients in small saucepan. Boil for 15 minutes. Strain through a metal sieve, set aside.

Directions

Heat a grill to med-high heat. Drizzle cantaloupe slices with olive oil. Place on hot grill 1-2 minutes, until marked on one side only and quickly remove. Do not overcook.

On a large platter, arrange basil and grilled melon. Scatter tomatoes on top. Drizzle with olive oil and blueberry balsamic reduction. Sprinkle with cracked pepper and sea salt, to taste.

*Note: to make it a Caprese, add fresh mozzerella balls.

Enjoy! Serves 2-4