Summer Salads

Watermelon, feta & mint Salad
Its hot out here and all I can think of is something chilled and snappy! Less time in the kitchen the better, even for a foodie like me. My cousin Jai made this yummy watermelon, feta and mint salad for my birthday aeon's ago which I am addicted to this summer. If you are creative and have the patience you could do what she did - basically carve out the watermelon and serve the salad in it!!
* 1 small sized watermelon deseeded & cut into bite sized chunks
* 1 small pack feta cut into cubes
* 1 bunch mint chopped fine
* ground fresh pepper
* one clove garlic (optional)
* 1/8 tsp maldon salt or rock salt (go easy on the salt as the feta is salty)
* 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
* splash of balsamic vinegar (more or less depending on your taste buds)

1. Mix the watermelon, feta and mint in serving bowl & a twist of fresh ground pepper
2. In a pestle and mortar pound garlic & salt to a paste. Add olive oil and balsamic vinegar & mix
3. Add dressing to salad, mix well, cling wrap and chill for a couple of hours in the fridge before serving

Carrot, orange, mustard and honey salad:
* 1/2kg carrots peeled and grated
* 2-3 oranges peeled, remove seeds and pith, cut into quarters
* 1 tsp mustard seeds
* 2 tablespoon olive oil
* 1-2 fresh lemons
* 1/2 tsp honey
1. Mix the carrots and orange
2. In a mortar & pestle grind the mustard seeds till they become yellow and powdery.
3. Add olive oil, vinegar and honey and mix well.
4. Mix dressing in salad, cling film and chill for a couple of hours for the flavors to assimilate

Variation: you can grate a radish in if you don't mind the raw taste of radish!