Park Na-rae’s Melon Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing
Park Na-rae’s Melon Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing
Easy and Delicious Korean Melon Salad Recipe Inspired by TV Celebrity
Embrace the joy of trying new things in the kitchen! This recipe is inspired by a popular Korean TV show segment where celebrity Park Na-rae showcased a refreshing melon salad. It’s surprisingly simple to make, using readily available ingredients, yet delivers an explosion of flavor. The star of the show is the honey lemon dressing – a perfect balance of sweet and tangy that beautifully complements the natural sweetness of the Korean melon (chamoe). To enhance the visual appeal, I added vibrant red cherry tomatoes and dried cranberries, which also harmonized wonderfully with the sweet dressing. While the original recipe called for pink peppercorns, I opted for finely chopped dried cranberries for a similar color effect and a delightful chewy texture. This salad transforms simple melon into an elegant dish. The thinly sliced melon, coated in the zesty dressing, becomes even sweeter and more sophisticated. The bright yellow of the melon, contrasted with the red accents, makes for a visually stunning presentation. It’s easy to see why this recipe is so popular – it hits all the right notes: taste, appearance, and simplicity. It’s also a fantastic way to elevate a less-than-perfect melon. The dressing enhances the melon’s flavor, making even a subtly flavored fruit shine. I found that the melon holds its crispness well, so chilling the dressed salad beforehand also resulted in a wonderfully refreshing treat. This versatile salad is perfect as a light snack, a healthy side dish, or even an elegant appetizer to pair with wine.
Main Ingredients- 1 Korean Melon (Chamoe)
- 1 Tbsp Dried Cranberries
- 3 Cherry Tomatoes
Honey Lemon Dressing- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Pinch Salt
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Pinch Salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the Korean melon thoroughly using baking soda and vinegar, as we’ll be using the peel. Ensuring the peel is clean is important for both health and aesthetics.
Step 2
Cut the melon in half lengthwise. Gently scoop out the seeds and stringy interior with a spoon. You can enjoy the sweet, scooped-out melon pulp separately as a treat!
Step 3
To create a beautiful striped pattern that highlights the melon’s yellow color, we’ll peel it selectively. Alternate between leaving a strip of peel on and removing one, creating a visually appealing effect. Then, thinly slice the melon.
Step 4
Finely chop the dried cranberries. Wash the cherry tomatoes, remove the stems, and halve them. These ingredients will add lovely pops of color and flavor.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the delicious dressing. In a bowl, combine the olive oil, honey, vinegar, and lemon juice. Whisk them together until well combined. Adding a pinch of salt will enhance the sweetness and balance the overall flavor profile.
Step 6
Just before serving, drizzle the prepared honey lemon dressing evenly over the sliced melon. Garnish with the colorful chopped dried cranberries and halved cherry tomatoes for a beautifully presented and incredibly tasty Korean melon salad.
