Friday, June 22, 2012

Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad

If I had to pick a favorite fruit season, hands down, it is peaches! Don't get me wrong, I love my strawberries, but there is something special about a good peach season.

Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad | www.kettlercuisine.com

With the first sight of peaches at the market, my brain starts spinning of recipe ideas. I usually have to narrow it down since I still have a full time job and can't cook all day (although I would love to). One of the recipes I knew I wanted to work on for the blog was using grilled peaches. From previous posts, we all know my love for grilling any type of vegetable, including lettuce, but really this love also applies to the sweet nectar of the gods....peaches!

Typically, you don't get the fall-off-the-pit peaches until later in the season, but I was so impatient, I bought some anyways and cut around the pit to get perfect nice halves.

Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad | www.kettlercuisine.com

I also found some amazing micro arugula from the market. If you think regular arugula is good, try the micro greens! They are basically baby versions of the green, but pack just as much vitamins, minerals and taste as the "adult" version. Another fantastic find from the market was some Farmer's goat cheese from one of the vendors. Top this off with chives from my garden and some of my good olive oil and balsamic vinegar....you got yourself one heck of salad there, Champ!

Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad | www.kettlercuisine.com

Ryan was in charge of the grill. I told him to get some nice grill marks on both sides, but not to cook the peaches down too much or else it will start to loose all the juices.

Then came the ultimate test, the husband taste test. Ryan probably gets so freaked out when we first sit down to a meal and I stare him down, waiting in anticipation for his facial expression and remarks from the first bite of a new dish.

Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad | www.kettlercuisine.com

He loved it! Ryan likes to eat the salad first at a meal, so he scarfed it down and gave me that, oh, so wonderful, reassuring look of approval. Success! Another peach recipe in the docket!

Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad

Yields: 2 salads
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5-8 minutes

1 ripe yellow peach
Fresh arugula (find micro greens if you can, or spinach)
Favorite goat cheese
Balsamic vinegar
Olive oil
Fresh chives, chopped
Salt and pepper

Slice the peach in half and remove the pit - try to do this as gently as possible to leave the halves intact for presentation. Heat a grill (or grill pan) on medium heat and place the peach halves on the grill cut-side down first. After a few minutes, flip the halves to cook the other side.

Meanwhile, assemble the lettuce, cheese and chives on a plate. Place the cooked peach halves on top of the salad and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste.

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