Watermelon Salad with French Feta Cheese and Wild Arugula and Lavender Honey

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon lavender buds
• 1/4 cup mild honey
• 1 ounce red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot
• 3 ounces extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 8 cups red and yellow (optional) watermelon cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes and drained
• 1/4 cup finely shaved red onion
• 1 bunch mature arugula washed and dried (mint is nice also)
• 1 cup crumbled French-style feta cheese

Instructions

1. 1
   For the lavender honey: In a small saucepan, melt the butter until it bubbles. Crumble the lavender buds into the butter and cook until fragrant and lavender is starting to crisp.
2. 2
   Strain the lavender butter through a fine-mesh strainer and set aside the liquids. Clean the saucepan and add the honey and infused butter. Warm slightly over low heat and keep warm.
3. 3
   For the red wine vinaigrette: macerate the minced shallots in the red wine vinegar for 5 minutes. Whisk in the olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste.
4. 4
   To assemble the salad, place the watermelon, onion, arugula, and cheese in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette and toss gently.
5. 5
   Serve the salad on individual plates or bowls, sprinkle remaining cheese evenly over all the servings, and drizzle the honey on top.