Refreshing Korean Melon and Tomato Salad
Refreshing Korean Melon and Tomato Salad
Easy Korean Melon and Tomato Salad Recipe: Simple Steps and Tomato’s Hidden Health Benefits
A wonderfully simple salad featuring the sweet, crisp Korean melon (chamoe) and juicy, ripe tomatoes. Dressed lightly with just salt, pepper, and olive oil, this salad highlights the natural flavors of the ingredients. It’s perfect as a refreshing side dish or a light appetizer, and it’s packed with nutritional benefits, especially thanks to the synergistic pairing of tomatoes and salt.
Key Ingredients- 1 ripe tomato
- 1/2 Korean melon (chamoe)
- Pinch of fine salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by thoroughly washing the ripe tomato and the Korean melon. Choose a medium-sized tomato and a chamoe that has a firm, crisp texture for the best results.
Step 2
Remove the stem from the tomato. For the Korean melon, peel it and scoop out the seeds. Slice both the tomato and the melon into half-moon shapes of uniform thickness. This ensures a pleasant, consistent bite. Arrange the melon and tomato slices alternately on a serving plate for an appealing presentation.
Step 3
Lightly sprinkle the arranged salad with fine salt to season. Follow with a grind of fresh black pepper to add a touch of warmth and aroma. Finally, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil to enhance the freshness and add a smooth finish. This simple dressing allows the natural sweetness of the melon and the slight acidity of the tomato to shine.
Step 4
For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, garnish with a few fresh basil leaves. I personally love the simple yet perfect combination of salt, pepper, and olive oil. It’s not only delicious on fruits and vegetables but also surprisingly delightful drizzled over vanilla ice cream for a sweet and savory contrast! Interestingly, pairing tomatoes with salt offers significant health benefits. The sodium in salt, when consumed with tomatoes, helps increase the absorption rate of potassium found in tomatoes. Additionally, this combination helps prevent the oxidation of Vitamin C, preserving its nutritional value. As potassium is known to aid in flushing out excess sodium from the body, the pairing of tomatoes and salt is considered a highly beneficial combination for both taste and well-being.
