This is one of those recipes that looks impressive but is basically just chopping things up and arranging them nicely (and you can get the kids to do at least a bit of this!). Perfect for when it’s too hard to cook but you still want to eat something that doesn’t come from a packet.

What you need:

Watermelon, cubed

Feta cheese, cubed

Cucumber, cubed

Avocado, cubed

Some red onion, sliced thinly

Fresh basil

Sticky Balsamic Fig Pearls

Salt and pepper to taste

How to make it look fancy:

Cut everything into similar-sized cubes (get your kids to help if they are old enough to cut).

Have the kids arrange them on a big plate in a checkerboard pattern – watermelon, feta, cucumber, avocado, repeat. It’s like playing with blocks but more delicious. If some blocks don’t make it to the plate then at least they are snacking healthily!

Scatter the red onion and basil over the top, some salt and pepper to taste, then add the fig pearls.

They look like little jewels and taste incredible with the sweet watermelon and salty feta.

Takes about 2 minutes to make, looks like you’re some sort of food styling genius.

Serve alongside grilled fish or chicken, or crusty bread and a dip with balsamic and olive oil, or a chilled glass of sparkling water with mint or a glass of rose.

Dee helps run Sticky Balsamic, a family business based in regional Victoria while trying to balance that with family life. She’s passionate about making everyday cooking a bit more special and entertaining super-easy and fun for busy mums like herself! Because even Tuesday night dinner deserves to feel amazing.