Laure from AT: Los Angeles wrote to us yesterday with an excellent question about fresh peaches. She writes:
I have some incredible perfectly ripe peaches that I desperately want work into a green salad. I know I've eaten one before and it was delicious (hmm was it paired with goat cheese, I can't remember). Do you have any favorite peach related green salad recipes that are along the lines of: rip up the peach, throw in some nuts and green stuff, toss in a dressing and you're ready to go?
Laure, fresh peaches in a green salad sound great. We're jealous - fresh peaches aren't in season here yet.
We have a couple of thoughts. First of all, you could easily improvise by following our rule of thumb with salads: something salty, something sweet, something soft, and something crunchy. In this case the goat cheese is soft, the peaches are sweet (and soft), and you could add pistachios for salty and crunchy. Hold to this partially with the vinaigrette too; balance some good olive oil with a touch of vinegar or lemon juice and some salt and pepper. Add a dash of sugar if you want it sweeter. The key is to taste as you go along.
Another good vinaigrette is in this recipe:
• Recipe: Spinach, Peach and Walnut Salad
This one calls for dried peaches, so there is more liquid than you would need her. We plumped up our dried peaches with wine and orange juice. But you could follow the general format
If you want try grilled peaches, take a look at Emily's LA farmers market report. Grilled peaches with goat cheese! Delicious!
• LA Farmers' Market Report: Peaches and Goat Cheese
And finally, you can also take a look at this Epicurious recipe for inspiration:
• Garden Greens With Yellow Tomatoes And Peaches
Related: LA Farmers' Market Report: Peaches and Goat Cheese
(Image: Brigitte Sire for Bon Appétit)
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
Laure, I made a great salad with peaches the other night. I put some balsamic vinegar in a fry pan, added a little sugar, and reduced it to a syrupy consistency. Then I threw in sliced peaches until they were warm and covered in the glaze. Drizzle some greens, nuts (I had cashews on hand) and some cheese, if you want, with a little bit of olive oil, then put the peaches with balsamic on top.
view Elizabeth P's profile
I peeled my peaches, by the way. Seemed to go better that way with the balsamic glaze.
view Elizabeth P's profile
My favorite is made of peaches, thinly sliced red onions, roquette, fresh basil, proscuitto slices and mozzarella di buffala in a honey, white vinegar and olive oil vinaigrette.
view Eve in Hochelaga's profile
Another variation which my family are having tonight is from Jamie Oliver.
A salad assembled from...
- Mixed greens and mint leaves dressed with lemon juice and olive oil
- fresh torn mozzarella (with or without crumbled chili)
- ripe peach sliced
- Sliced proscuitto (we broil it first)
Served with olive bread.
Yum.
view Shasta's profile
I posted a FANTASTIC recipe on my blog awhile back. It is a must try. http://domesticreflections.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-salad-obsession.html
view jora's profile
My favorite salad has greens, roasted beets, sliced fresh peaches, and feta. The saltiness of the feta with the sweet peaches and earthy beets is just perfect to me. I usually toss in some torn and toasted pita and maybe some fresh basil and corn if I have it on hand.
Dressing can be simple: basic vinaigrette for me usually.
view budino's profile