Recipe: Peach and Arugula Salad

Emily Han
Emily Han
Emily Han is a Los Angeles-based recipe developer, educator, herbalist, and author of Wild Drinks & Cocktails and co-author of Wild Remedies. For recipes and classes, check out her personal site.
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updated May 12, 2022
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Serves4

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Few things signal summer like the aroma of fresh peaches, and this week I’ve been heartily celebrating their appearance in my CSA box. Quite appropriately, it was National Doughnut Day when I received an armful of doughnut peaches, both my favorite kind of doughnut and my favorite kind of peach. I turned a few of them into a refreshing salad with peppery arugula, shards of ricotta salata, and a tarragon-flecked vinaigrette.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Also known as Saturn peaches, these saucer-shaped fruits are so charming and sweet, with a lower acidity than yellow peaches. I love using doughnut (or donut) peaches in salads because the slices are perfectly bite-sized, but regular white peaches or even yellow peaches are also lovely. You want them to be ripe enough to offer a luscious bite of juiciness but firm enough that they hold their shape and don’t soak the greens.

To give the salad a nice balance of flavors, I paired the peaches with spicy arugula and a light vinaigrette with a touch of tarragon and mustard. Ricotta salata cheese provides a slightly salty, slightly creamy element and, if you like, you can add a handful of pistachios for crunch.

This salad is sure to become a regular on my table throughout this glorious summer of peaches (doughnut and otherwise). Happy peach season!

(Image credit: Emily Han)
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Peach and Arugula Salad

Serves 4

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces

    peaches (about 2 regular or 3-4 Saturn peaches)

  • 5 ounces

    arugula

  • 3 tablespoons

    champagne vinegar

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    honey

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    whole grain mustard

  • 1 tablespoon

    minced shallot

  • 4 tablespoons

    extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon

    coarsely chopped tarragon leaves

  • Salt and pepper

  • 2 ounces

    ricotta salata, shaved or crumbled

  • 1/4 cup

    toasted pistachios (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cut peaches in half and remove pits. Thinly slice peaches and place in a large bowl with arugula.

  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together vinegar, honey, mustard, and shallot. Slowly add the olive oil in a stream, whisking until emulsified. Stir in the tarragon. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

  3. Add dressing to peaches and arugula and toss. Divide salad between plates, sprinkle with ricotta salata and pistachios, and serve.

Related: Good Question: Quick and Easy Salad With Ripe Peaches?

(Images: Emily Ho)

Filed in:
Lunch
Salad
Side Dish
vegetarian