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Steak and Watermelon Salad

steak-and-watermelon-salad

The contrasting flavors and textures of steak and watermelon salad makes for a truly exciting meal. The unlikely combination is unique and brings a surprise to the palette and your meal routine. The steak can be easily prepared in advance and the watermelon cut up so the meal prep is quick and easy. This is a great salad for nutrition as it provides its own dressing from the flavors of the marinade to the juice of the watermelon. The sweet and savory combo is a sure win for anyone but especially salad lovers.

The nutrition of the meal is as fantastic as the flavors. The steak provides good amounts of protein, good for muscle building and weight management, while the watermelon provides antioxidants. The B12 and iron from the steak will help with nerves and oxygen in the blood cells. The greens and tomatoes provide fiber and additional nutrients on top. This light and healthy meal will leave you full from the protein in the steak and hydrated from the fruits and vegetables. Perfect for a work day lunch or a summer evening.

Preparing the beef is the only potentially tough part of this meal and practice makes perfect. Searing the steak can take great timing and heat management. Everyone is different and the preferred level of doneness is up to you so learn how your grill heats up and cooks and you’ll cook perfect steaks without even trying. Slicing the steak is an important component as well. Cutting against the grain will allow for easy bites when you eat. When you cut with the grain you find that you are tearing the beef when you bite into it rather than having clean breaks. You can identify the grain of the steak by looking closely at the strands that run through it.

steak-and-watermelon-salad

Steak and Watermelon Salad

No ratings yet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 2

Equipment

  • knife
  • cutting board
  • tongs
  • indoor grill pan

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz flank steak
  • 1 cup watermelon (cubed)
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (sliced)
  • 4 cups salad mix
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Marinate the flank steak with chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then coat it with olive oil
  • Pre-heat the indoor grill pan on medium-high heat
  • Sear the steak on each side for about 3 to 5 minutes until it reaches your desired doneness
  • Then, assemble your salad by mixing the cherry tomatoes and watermelon in a bowl. Add the salad mix and dress it with your favorite salad dressing to your preferred taste (2 tbsp of dressing per serving)
  • When the beef is finished, set it aside to cool for 5 minutes
  • Slice the beef cross wise and add it to the salad mix
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Chicken and Mandarin Orange Salad

chicken-and-mandarin-orange-salad

Refreshing and delicious, this chicken and mandarin orange salad recipe is a perfect lunch on a busy work day or a light dinner. Salads are best served fresh however if you keep the vegetables, chicken, and oranges separate then you can easily store them and combine just before eating. The savory chicken, marinated in sun dried tomatoes and pesto, is balanced by the citrus flavor of the orange slices. You won’t need much salad dressing for this chicken and mandarin orange salad, the ingredients and marinade are excellent already.

The dish is stunning as well. The vibrancy alone makes the meal stand out and then the unique combination of vegetables, fruit, and protein make for a unique salad experience. If you’re looking for a way to add salads to your routine and have struggled with it in the past, try this recipe. It’s different then the typical salad. Or, if you’re an avid salad eater, mix up your routine with this chicken and mandarin orange salad recipe. Bring some new flavors to your usual meal prep.

This salad is super easy to make and assemble. It’s fast and versatile too. Grill or cook your chicken in an air fryer, on a grill, in the oven or even try a different protein. Steak works well with the flavors as well if you’re looking for a different take. Even adding different vegetables or nuts, for an added crunch, are great ways to mix up the recipe.

chicken-and-mandarin-orange-salad

Chicken and Mandarin Orange Salad

No ratings yet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • knife
  • cutting board
  • grill pan
  • tongs

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless chicken thigh or chicken breast
  • 4 tbsp sun-dried tomato pesto sauce
  • 1 cup canned mandarin oranges (drained)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 8 cups salad mix
  • 8 tbsp choice of vinaigrette dressing
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your Indoor Griddle/Grill on Medium High
  • Marinate the chicken with the Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce, covering the whole surface of the meat
  • Place the chicken on the preheated indoor griddle/grill and sear the chicken on each side for 6 to 7 minutes until the chicken cooks for an internal temperature of 165F
  • While the chicken is cooking, assemble your salad by mixing the cherry tomatoes and mandarin oranges in a bowl. Add the salad mix and dress it with your favorite dressing to your preferred taste (recommend 2 tbsp per person)
  • When the chicken is finished, set it aside to cool for 5 minutes. 
  • Slice the chicken into bite size pieces and add it to the salad mix