Mastering Simple, Delicious Summer Dishes with Chef Mark Murphy
There’s nothing quite like fresh, simple ingredients coming together to create a meal that’s both delicious and easy to prepare. That’s exactly what Chef Mark Murphy, renowned restaurateur, TV personality, and judge on Chopped, brought to Better Together with Maria Menounos. With 44 seasons on Chopped and countless other television appearances, Mark joined the show to share his go-to summer sides: a refreshing watermelon, mint, and feta salad and a perfectly charred grilled romaine dish.
Keeping Cooking Simple & Fresh
With years of experience in the culinary world, Mark emphasized that keeping food simple is key. “I like to let the ingredients speak for themselves,” he shared. His philosophy is deeply rooted in his upbringing in France and Italy, where fresh, high-quality produce takes center stage.
For those who find shopping a hassle, Mark recommends utilizing local online delivery services that source fresh produce directly from farms. Supporting local farmers, he noted, is a great way to ensure you’re getting the best ingredients while also helping small businesses thrive.
Watermelon, Mint & Feta Salad: A Summer Staple
One of Mark’s wife’s favorite salads, this dish is as simple as it is flavorful.
Ingredients:
- Fresh watermelon, cubed
- Crumbled feta cheese (Greek preferred)
- Fresh mint leaves, torn or finely chopped
- Optional: a pinch of sea salt for extra flavor
Instructions:
- Cube the watermelon and place it in a bowl.
- Tear fresh mint leaves and add them to the watermelon.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the salad.
- Lightly toss the ingredients together and serve!
“This is the perfect side for summer barbecues,” Mark noted. “It balances out the heavier flavors of grilled meats with a fresh, juicy contrast.”
Grilled Romaine: The Unexpected Game-Changer
If you’ve never tried grilled romaine, now is the time to start. Mark reminded everyone how easy and underrated this method is for adding a smoky, delicious flavor to your greens.
Ingredients:
- Romaine hearts, cut in half lengthwise
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper
- Fresh lemon juice
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Cut the romaine hearts lengthwise and drizzle them with olive oil.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Place the romaine cut-side down on the grill for 2-3 minutes until lightly charred.
- Flip and grill for another 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from the grill and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top.
For an extra twist, Maria suggested adding feta, oregano, and a pinch of Himalayan salt for a Greek-inspired spin.
A Passion for Food and Travel
Aside from his love for cooking, Mark also shared his passion for travel, particularly his love for Italy. Having lived in Milan and spent years traveling, he praised Rome as his favorite city, a place where he feels most at home. “The people, the food, the coffee—it’s unbeatable,” he said.
Mark’s experiences have shaped his approach to food, and his advice to home cooks is to start with the basics. “People always say, ‘I don’t know how to cook,’ but the key is to start simple and build up.”
Takeaways & Cooking Show Dreams
After a segment filled with laughter, minor kitchen mishaps (including a salt shaker disaster courtesy of Jeff!), and delicious food, Maria and the team were left inspired by the simplicity of fresh cooking.
“We need a cooking show!” Maria joked, as she devoured the grilled romaine, exclaiming, “This is unbelievable! I’m making this this weekend.”
With summer in full swing, there’s no better time to embrace fresh, easy-to-make dishes that impress without the stress. Whether it’s a watermelon salad or grilled romaine, Chef Mark Murphy proves that good food doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to be made with love.
Follow Chef Mark Murphy: @ChefMarkMurphy (Instagram, Twitter)
Check out his cookbook: Season with Authority: Confident Home Cooking
Listen to his podcast: Food 360 with Mark Murphy, produced by iHeartRadio.
