Description
Summer’s fresh peach arugula salad delivers crisp greens and sweet fruit in perfect harmony. Refreshing flavors dance between peppery arugula, juicy peaches, and tangy goat cheese, promising delightful bites you’ll savor to the last forkful.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base:
- 6 cups fresh arugula
- 4 ripe peaches (pitted and sliced)
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese
- 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
- 1/4 red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (torn (optional))
Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) Dijon mustard
Seasoning:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by whisking olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small mixing vessel until smooth and well-integrated.
- Select a spacious mixing bowl and layer fresh arugula as the foundational green base for the salad.
- Slice ripe peaches into delicate, uniform segments and scatter them across the arugula landscape.
- Crumble creamy goat cheese or tangy feta to add a luxurious dairy element to the salad’s texture.
- Sprinkle toasted pecans or chopped walnuts to introduce a delightful crunch and nutty dimension.
- Thinly slice red onion and disperse the rings throughout the salad for a subtle sharp flavor.
- If available, tear fresh basil leaves and distribute them gently across the salad’s surface.
- Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the assembled ingredients, using a light touch to ensure even coating.
- Carefully toss all components together, ensuring each ingredient is gracefully dressed without bruising the delicate greens.
- Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual plates, presenting the colorful medley at room temperature for optimal flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- Swap goat cheese with vegan alternatives like nutritional yeast or cashew crumbles for dairy-free diets.
- Toast nuts carefully to enhance their nutty flavor without burning, watching them closely in a dry skillet or oven.
- Slice peaches just before serving to prevent browning and maintain their fresh, vibrant color and crisp texture.
- Prepare dressing separately and store in a sealed container for up to three days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg