Basil, Cantaloupe and Mozzarella Salad

A quick light summer salad - perfect for this weekend's Independence Day barbecue celebrations.  I'll share the version I made and the variations to which you can adapt it.  I whipped this up while at the beach; I wanted to use the rest of the fruit and vegetables we had before we left the shore from vacation and I needed to eat at least one "healthy" and non-junk food beach meal for the day!  Should you have a variation that you can think of, please share it and comment! I'd love to see other versions of this that utizlize melons, cheese and fresh herbs.

Basil, Cantaloupe and Mozzarella Salad Ingredients:

• 1 Whole Cantaloupe - seeded and peeled/skinned and cut into 1 inch chunks
• 1 pound of Fresh Mozzarella Bites (Boconccini balls) or a large mozzarella ball cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 Bunch Fresh Basil Leaves - torn or cut into chiffonade ribbons
• 1 Medium Cucumber - peeled, seeded and cut into 1/4 inch half moon slices
• Juice of 1 Lemon - about 2 tablespoons
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Prep all the fruit and vegetables as indicated; remove the seeds and rind from the cantaloupe and cut into 1 inch chunks.
2. Cut the mozzarella into 1/2 inch pieces.
3. Tear the basil leaves or cut into chiffonade (ribbons) to release the basil's flavor.
4. Peel the cucumber and de-seed; cut the cucumber into 1/4 inch thick half moon slices.
5. Place all the ingredients into a large serving bowl and toss to combine.
6. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over the mixture; drizzle the olive oil over the mixture and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. 
7. Chill and serve cold.  Serves 8 to 10 as a side salad.  Will keep for up to 2 days, covered and refrigerated.

Variations:

• Cantaloupe with Mint, Feta and Cucumber. Use Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
• Cantaloupe with Mint and Basil and Mozzarella. Use Lime Juice and Olive Oil
• Cantaloupe with Mixed Fresh Herbs - Parsley, Basil, Rosemary and Goat Cheese - Use either Lime or Lemon Juice or White Wine Vinegar and Olive Oil.