Between the heartbreak and the heat, every cell in my body craved something cool, juicy, savory, sweet, and absolutely delicious. This salad hit all the marks.

The juicy watermelon perfectly complemented the peppery bite of the arugula, creating a harmony of flavors that delighted even the most broken of hearts. The crunch of the pistachios, the softness of the cheese, and the cool, crisp, sweet watermelon satisfied my tasty texture desires.

I didn't grow up eating fresh beets—only the ghastly canned variety at holidays. I absolutely abhorred every stinkin’ bite of those dirty, soggy excuse of a beet. It wasn’t until years later when I was working in fine dining that I experienced the divine flavor of perfectly roasted beets. Since that first bite, I’ve been hooked on beets. Roasting beets are still one of my favorite ways to prepare them.