Description
Delightful summer peach spinach salad showcases fresh ingredients dancing with sweet and tangy flavors. Crisp spinach leaves pair perfectly with juicy peaches, creating a refreshing meal you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups baby spinach leaves
- 3 large ripe peaches, sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
Cheese and Nuts:
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese
- 1/4 cup candied pecans or walnuts
Garnish and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries or cherries
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Artfully arrange crisp baby spinach leaves as a vibrant green foundation in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Layer succulent peach slices across the spinach, creating a delicate geometric pattern.
- Crumble tangy goat cheese over the fruit, allowing irregular chunks to cascade randomly.
- Sprinkle thinly sliced red onion for a sharp, aromatic contrast.
- Scatter candied pecans to introduce a caramelized, crunchy texture.
- Distribute dried cranberries for bursts of sweet-tart complexity.
- Optional: incorporate creamy avocado cubes for additional richness.
- Prepare vinaigrette by vigorously whisking olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified and glossy.
- Gently drizzle dressing across salad, using delicate tossing motions to ensure even coating without bruising delicate ingredients.
- Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves for an herbaceous finishing touch.
- Serve immediately to preserve optimal texture and temperature.
Notes
- Massage spinach leaves gently before adding to the salad to soften their texture and reduce bitterness, making them more tender and enjoyable.
- Swap goat cheese with feta or blue cheese for different flavor profiles, catering to various taste preferences and dietary needs.
- Toast pecans quickly in a dry skillet for enhanced nutty flavor and extra crunch, elevating the salad’s overall texture and depth.
- Prepare dressing ahead of time and store in a sealed container for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to meld and saving preparation time before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 145 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg