Melon Salad with Sweet Sesame Dressing

1/3 c honey
3 T vinegar
1/2 t salt
1/2 t ground ginger
3 T vegetable oil
3 T extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 t sesame seeds, toasted
1/2 t sesame oil
Dash pepper
Lettuce leaves
2 c cut up watermelon
2 c cut up cantaloupe
2 c cut up honeydew
1 c sliced cucumber
Snipped fresh cilantro
Crisp-cook bacon (if desired)

1. For sweet sesame dressing, in small saucepan combine honey, vinegar, salt and ginger. Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Transfer to medium bowl. In a thin steady stream, slowly add vegetable and olive oils to sugar mixture, whisking constantly until thickened. Stir in sesame seeds, sesame oil, and cayenne pepper, set aside.

2. Line salad bowls or platter with lettuce, top with watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, and cucumber. Drizzle with some of the dressing (about 1/2 c). Sprinkle cilantro and bacon.

--Grace A. Eckstorm, Better Homes and Gardens Annual Recipes 2009