Simple Cantaloupe Salad

Cantaloupe is one of my favorite summer indulgences. I first had cantaloupe in a salad in Paris several years ago, cantaloupe and prosciutto, in fact... a combination that has since become pretty popular here in the States. But at the time I found it strange and wonderful all at once!

Since then I've discovered another salad companion for my melon that also contrasts it with a smoky, salty taste -- pistachios! I love to throw this together for a quick lunch, with some cheese and crackers, and maybe a glass of crisp French wine (when I'm not packing it to take to work!) The below recipe serves one, but increase the amount of dressing if making for a group.

Ingredients

Leaf lettuce, torn (or other light salad greens of your liking)
Cantaloupe
Pistachios (shelled, dry roasted, lightly salted)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Instructions

Arrange lettuce in a bowl, and top with desired amount of cantaloupe and pistachios. Whisk together olive oil and lemon juice, and add a pinch of both salt and pepper. Drizzle dressing over salad.

If taking on the go, mix salad dressing and take in separate container to dress salad right before eating. You may also want to keep the pistachios in a separate container because they'll lose their crunchiness the longer they sit with the lettuce and cantaloupe.