Summer Salads

The recent thunderstorms mean I don’t want to use any heat in the kitchen – a perfect excuse to make some meal-sized salads.  Two of my hands-down favorite summer salads are watermelon feta and my peach pie salad.

A peach pie salad? Well, not exactly – there’s no pie crust in this salad. But with fresh peaches, pecans, fresh mozzarella, and a ginger / bourbon / maple dressing from scratch, it’s got the right flavors to make you think, “hey, maybe I should also get a slice of peach pie,” which may or may not be the right reaction while eating a big salad, but any suggestion of pie definitely works for me. Watermelon feta salad is a staple for summer salads, but is refreshing and perfect year-round. Great for keeping you hydrated, too.

Both these summer salads are great ways to add fruit and cheese to create salads that aren’t just something you have on the side – but it’s also great as an accompaniment for sandwiches and other light meals. The combo of sweet and salty is absolutely delicious – I hope you try either or both for your next light warm weather lunch or dinner.

For alternate warm weather recipes, try my Colombian Ceviche & Coconut Limeade and Rei Shabu recipes 🙂

Ingredients

Watermelon Feta Salad 

• 1 – 2 cups salad greens of your choice 
• 1 cup watermelon, cubed into bite sized pieces 
• 1/2 cup peeled & seeded cucumber, cubed 
• 1/8 – 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese 
• 5 – 7 leaves fresh mint  
• Salt & pepper 

Peach Pie Salad 

• 1 – 2 cups salad greens of your choice 
• 1 – 2 fresh peaches, sliced (can substitute canned in fruit juice) 
• 1/4 cup pearl mozzarella (or dice / shred fresh mozzarella by hand) 
• 2 tblsp chopped pecans 
• 4 – 5 leaves fresh basil  

Dressing for Peach Pie Salad 

• 1/4 cup ginger extract (1 large knob of ginger in 2 cups of water reduced) 
• 1/4 oz American bourbon or whisky 
• 1 tsp dijon mustard 
• 3 tblsp maple syrup 
• 1 tblsp granulated sugar 
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar 
• Salt and pepper 
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 

Directions

Watermelon Feta Salad

Assembly: 

To a serving bowl, add salad greens of choice (I used a spinach / baby kale mix). 

Add:

bite-sized pieces of watermelon

chopped cucumbers

crumbled feta cheese to taste 

crushed fresh mint

Sprinkle a little salt and pepper, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil, and enjoy. 

Peach Pie Salad 

To make the dressing:  

Combine ingredients in a saucepan and cook through, then chill until serving, or, if alcohol is not a concern, you can shake the ingredients in a bottle without heat. Set aside. 

Assembly: 

To a serving bowl, add salad greens of choice (I used a spinach / baby kale mix). 

Add:

peeled and sliced peaches (fresh preferred, but canned in fruit juice works)

pearl mozzarella (or dice fresh mozzarella by hand)

chopped pecans (can be candied pecans as well)

hand-torn fresh basil

Sprinkle salt and pepper, heavier on the pepper. 

Drizzle dressing to taste, and enjoy.