There’s nothing quite like stepping into my garden in the early morning, when the dew is still clinging to the leaves and the air is filled with the intoxicating scent of fresh basil. This is where my love affair with cooking truly begins – not in the kitchen, but right here among the tomato vines heavy with fruit and the herb beds that seem to whisper promises of the meals to come.
I’ve always believed that the secret to extraordinary food isn’t found in complicated techniques or exotic ingredients. It’s found in the soil beneath our feet, in the hands of farmers who tend their crops with care, and in our own willingness to let nature’s bounty speak for itself. When you start with ingredients that are truly fresh – tomatoes that still hold the warmth of the sun, basil leaves so fragrant they perfume your fingers with just a gentle touch – cooking becomes less about what you add and more about what you honor.
This philosophy led me to one of my favorite discoveries of the summer: a salad that perfectly captures everything I love about eating seasonally and simply. It started with my garden tomatoes, those beautiful cherry varieties that burst with sweetness, and my beloved basil plants that seem to grow more generous with each passing week. But the magic really happened when I paired these garden treasures with watermelon from our local farmers market – that’s where this dish transformed from good to absolutely irresistible.
There’s something deeply satisfying about this kind of cooking. It connects us to the rhythm of the seasons, to the farmers who grow our food, and to the simple pleasure of nourishing ourselves and our loved ones with ingredients that haven’t traveled thousands of miles or spent weeks in storage. When I pick basil from my garden, I’m not just gathering herbs – I’m participating in an ancient ritual of tending and harvesting that feeds both body and soul.
The beauty of fresh, whole ingredients is that they don’t need us to do much to them. They’re already perfect. Our job is simply to combine them thoughtfully, to let each element shine while creating something greater than the sum of its parts. That’s exactly what happens in this watermelon, tomato, and basil salad – each bite delivers layers of flavor and texture that change and develop as you eat.
Garden Fresh Watermelon Tomato Salad
Salad Ingredients:
•2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
•Whole Watermelon cubed and seeded
•Handful of fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
•½ cup crumbled feta cheese
•¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
Sumac dressing:
• 1 clove of garlic, (minced)
• 2 teaspoon fresh thyme, (leaves plucked and minced)
• 1 Lemon, (juiced)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon fresh pepper
• 2 tablespoon ground sumac
• ½ cup olive oil
Instructions:
Place the tomatoes and watermelon into a mixing bowl. Sprinkle with the basil, feta cheese, and Kalamata olives. Mix the sumac dressing. Toss gently, allowing the ingredients to mingle. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.
Note: This salad actually improves with a little time – let it sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the natural juices to create a light, flavorful dressing.
The addition of Kalamata olives brings a wonderful briny depth that complements the sweetness of the watermelon and the acidity of the tomatoes. It’s one of those happy accidents that became an essential part of the recipe – sometimes the best discoveries happen when we’re willing to trust our instincts and add that little something extra.
I love serving this salad as part of a complete summer meal that celebrates fresh, healthy eating. It pairs beautifully with grilled lemon pepper chicken and a vibrant potato salad made with the season’s best new potatoes. Together, these dishes create a feast that feels both elegant and comfortably familiar – the kind of meal that makes everyone linger at the table, savoring not just the food but the moment itself.
Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
Serves 4
Ingredients:
•4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
•¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
•Juice and zest of 2 large lemons
•2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
•1 teaspoon garlic powder
•1 teaspoon dried oregano
•1 teaspoon salt
•2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions:
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and salt. Place chicken breasts in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour marinade over them. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 6-7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Fresh Herb Potato Salad
Serves 6
Ingredients:
•2 pounds small new potatoes, halved
•¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
•2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
•1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
•3 green onions, finely chopped
•¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
•¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
•2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
•Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Add warm potatoes and toss gently. Stir in green onions, dill, parsley, and chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve warm or at room temperature. This salad is best enjoyed the day it’s made when the herbs are at their most vibrant.
This is the kind of cooking that fills my heart as much as it fills our bellies. It’s food that tells the story of where we live, what grows around us, and how we choose to nourish ourselves. Every bite connects us to something larger – to the earth, to our community, to the simple joy of eating well - XO
Cari Ann Carter is a multi-faceted entrepreneur whose passion for sustainable living and design has flourished across several successful ventures. As the creative force behind DIY Designer Homestead, she has cultivated an expanding Instagram following through her authentic home design content, organic gardening expertise, and signature floral arrangements. Her professional foundation rests on the Cari Ann Carter Group, a respected real estate company with 26 years of experience offering comprehensive design, build, and renovation services, as well as property staging and curated home events.
Cari Ann is now expanding her vision with the launch of Fresh Roots Living.
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