Prepare the Watermelon: Begin by carefully washing your watermelon. Place it on a sturdy cutting board and, using a large, sharp knife, slice it in half, then into quarters. Remove the rind from each quarter, then cut the bright pink flesh into roughly 2.5 cm (1 inch) cubes. You should see uniform, juicy cubes of vibrant red. Transfer the watermelon cubes into a large mixing bowl.

Crumble the Feta: Take your block of feta cheese and either crumble it directly over the watermelon using your fingers, or cut it into small, neat cubes of approximately 1.5 cm (0.6 inch). The creamy white feta will provide a lovely visual contrast against the red watermelon.

Chiffonade the Mint: Gather your fresh mint leaves into a neat stack. Roll them tightly like a cigar, then thinly slice them across to create delicate ribbons (this is called a chiffonade). The fragrant aroma of fresh mint will instantly fill your kitchen. Add the bright green mint ribbons to the bowl with the watermelon and feta.

Dress the Salad: Roll the limes firmly on your countertop before slicing them in half to maximise juice extraction. Squeeze the juice from both limes directly over the salad ingredients in the bowl. Drizzle over the extra virgin olive oil. If using, add the runny honey or agave nectar now. You'll notice a fresh, citrusy scent developing.

Season and Toss: Sprinkle the sea salt flakes and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper over the ingredients. If you’re adding thinly sliced red onion or black olives, incorporate them now. Gently toss all the ingredients together using a large spoon or your hands, ensuring the dressing evenly coats everything. The watermelon will start to glisten, and the colours will meld beautifully.

Chill and Serve: For the best results and to allow the flavours to properly meld, cover the bowl with cling film and refrigerate the Watermelon Feta Salad for at least 15-20 minutes. This chilling time allows the mint and lime to infuse the watermelon, creating a more harmonious and refreshing experience. When ready to serve, give it one final gentle toss and present it in a shallow serving dish, admiring the vibrant colours and refreshing aroma.