savory summer fruit salad with nectarine

peach and cherry summer salad

There is nothing like summer fruit. My FAVORITE dishes to invent are new salads. I always love an exciting salad with new ingredients to keep things interesting. A great way to freshen things up is to add fresh seasonal fruit. In this salad, the summer cherries and peaches are the stars. Feel free to swap nectarines for the peaches. P.S. If you don’t own a cherry pitter – go get one. Makes all the difference in the world (and I’m not a gadget lady).

Yield: 16-18 appetizer sized portions

Rating: The epitome of a summer salad but very easy.

Salad Ingredients:

1 cup of pitted cherries

3 peaches or nectarines, sliced thin

4 radishes, sliced thin

½ head of radicchio, sliced small

1 box baby arugula

Dressing Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

1 clove garlic, chopped (or 2 frozen garlic cubes)

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

To make your dressing whisk together in a small bowl the Dijon, salt, black pepper, garlic, vinegar and honey. Slowly whisk in the oil – drop by drop – until it is all fully incorporated.

To assemble your salad - take a large platter and layer your arugula, then your radicchio, radishes, peaches and finally your cherries. Dress your salad right before serving.

Plan Ahead:

The dressing can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 10 days. The salad should be cut the day of serving and dressed right before eating.