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Simple End of Summer Peach Arugula Salad

September 16, 2015 By Jessica

Summer stone fruit has nearly run its’ course, which I take cue overstuffing my farmer’s markets bag (lucky to have this in southern California) without a care in the world as to what I’m going to do with them.

Stone fruit: they have a way of figuring these things out like ending up in this simple salad, or here or here. Though I’m a sucker for fruit desserts, I will admit sometimes there’s nothing better than leaning over the kitchen sink (preferably an empty sink) eating a big fat peach with its’ juices dripping down my chin, or arm, as I take a minute to enjoy the moment.

Because who the heck wants to wipe sticky peach juice off the floor after a moment like this. Not me.

Now that we got that out of the way, say we took that a step further and grilled the peaches. yeah. Psst, I use an indoor grill pan which makes this super easy too!

Then some peppery arugula. Shallots to balance out sweet peaches. Crazy kick ass good honey ginger dressing from this recipe (written out in the recipe below with one addition). yeah. And for some texture, heck let’s add some toasted hazelnuts. Now let’s eat as if we are dining on some mountainside in Europe. Italy? France?

HECK YEAH.

peach-arugula-salad-gluten-free-dairy-free-from-jessicas-kitchen

Even though husband and children at the kitchen table are asking how to cut into these big peaches. Let’s forget all that right now. It’s the end of summer. Let’s pretend and hold on to the moment with peaches.

Pumpkin stuff can wait for a good long minute because you really need to try this, my friends.

Now take a bite (remember we’re in Italy or France, right?) … can you taste all those amazing flavors? And so light. Don’t you just love that?

peach-arugula-salad-gluten-free-dairy-free-from-jessicas-kitchen

All the sweetness in the peaches gives us some caramelization, enough to add another layer of flavor and keep it fresh tasting, but not too much so that it can overpower the other ingredients in the salad. Balance, people. We need balance. Ugh, so true.

peach-arugula-salad-gluten-free-dairy-free-from-jessicas-kitchen

peach-arugula-salad-gluten-free-dairy-free-from-jessicas-kitchen

Oh, if you were wondering hmm, what do I serve this with? Well, a whole bunch goes well with peaches!

Chicken, Pork, Beef, Turkey, Seafood, Salmon, Quinoa, Millet … the list goes on and on. I served it with baked wild salmon and snap peas. Being that the salad ingredients are versatile flavor-wise, any main you choose will likely compliment the flavors.

Also, before I leave you with the recipe, I should tell you that the skin does not toughen from grilling, so keep all the nutrition in there by leaving the skin on.

Simple End of Summer Peach Arugula Salad
 
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Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
5 mins
Total time
15 mins
 
A simple peach and arugula salad to enjoy before mother nature closes shop on peaches. Grilled peaches come out beautifully using an indoor grill if an outdoor grill is unavailable and very versatile - goes well with just about any main course. Light, quick and easy before summer's end. Enjoy!
Jessica: Jessica
Recipe type: Salad
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • Ingredients:
  • 3-4 Peaches, sliced in half, pits removed
  • 8-10 fistfuls arugula
  • 1 cup raw hazelnuts, lightly smashed to break open, toasted
  • 2 small shallots, thinly sliced
  • For the dressing:
  • ¼ cup honey or agave (I used raw honey)
  • 1 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled
  • 2 tablespoons GF balsamic (or sherry) vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime)
  • 2 small cloves of garlic
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • pinch of salt and crushed black pepper
Preparation
  1. For the dressing, add all the ingredients into a mini food processor to blend well OR grate the ginger then add it into a bowl (or jar) with the remaining dressing ingredients and whisk well. Set aside.
  2. Note: you can drizzle in the olive oil at the end while whisking but I find it’s not necessary; with enough whisking or mixing it emulsifies well enough to fully coat the salad.
  3. Meanwhile, set a grill pan on high and when hot (about 5 minutes) place halved peaches on and lightly press in to sear. Let it grill for 2-3 minutes then rotate in opposite direction to grill another 2 minutes until slightly softened. In a large bowl or platter, spread arugula evenly, then sliced shallots. Season with half the dressing and gently toss so as not to weigh down the arugula. Lightly toast hazelnuts (while grilling the peaches) on medium heat in a small skillet until the oils have permeated the air and hazelnuts appear toasted.
  4. Note: This should not take more than 3 minutes, so keep your eye on the pan as they can burn very quickly.
  5. Sprinkle over the salad, then place peaches on top and drizzle more dressing as desired. Serve immediately.
  6. Note: the salad dressing will make more than needed, save for another tasty salad.
  7. Final Note: "smash" hazelnuts in a plastic bag or in a cloth for toasting. Some may find the skins to be bitter, if so, rub off any loose skins while they are warm.
3.3.3077

 

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Filed Under: salads-dressings Tagged With: dairy-free, gluten-free, light and easy recipes, salads, soy-free, vegan-optional

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Comments

  1. Sue says

    September 16, 2015 at 8:31 am

    Wow!
    Reply
    • Jessica says

      September 16, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      Aw, gosh thanks Sue! You must try this before the season is over :)
      Reply
  2. Amy says

    September 16, 2015 at 8:32 am

    What a gorgeous salad and sounds delicious. I don't have a bbq grill so I didn't really want to read more because I thought why bother, then when I read you made this on the stove I got excited and now can't wait to try this!
    Reply
    • Jessica says

      September 16, 2015 at 1:42 pm

      I'm SO glad you did Amy because I don't want you to miss out on this. I think you're gonna love it :) Enjoy!
      Reply
  3. Tina Green says

    September 16, 2015 at 8:44 am

    This looks amazing and want to make this today, I was wondering if I need to oil my grill pan? I didn't any mention of that in the recipe. Thanks!
    Reply
    • Jessica says

      September 16, 2015 at 1:44 pm

      No oil needed, just make sure your grill pan is piping hot. Usually when it looks shiny and any residual oil begins to show some signs of smoke. Enjoy!
      Reply
  4. Sharron says

    September 16, 2015 at 9:16 am

    The hazelnuts look perfectly roasted and gosh do I love the roasted peaches. How lovely! An ode to the ending of Summer. A stunning salad!
    Reply
    • Jessica says

      September 16, 2015 at 1:47 pm

      Thanks SO much Sharron! I do too, hope you get to try this before peaches go for one last summer salad hurrah!!
      Reply
  5. Penelope says

    September 16, 2015 at 11:41 am

    Jessica, My older brother had told me about a salad similar to this, which he'd tried once in Vancouver (I think). What's funny is I was just thinking about this recently, the hazelnuts and arugula and citrus and also shallots, I believe! I knew that my feeling in tuning in today would pay off somehow, See! Awesome :)
    Reply
    • Jessica says

      September 16, 2015 at 1:48 pm

      Oh, how funny is that!! I love when that happens :) The flavors go SO well together, wait until you try it...you must! :)
      Reply
  6. Mackenzie Stauskas says

    September 16, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    Look at this!
    Reply
    • Jessica says

      September 16, 2015 at 1:49 pm

      Thanks Mackenzie!!! :)
      Reply
  7. Molly says

    September 16, 2015 at 4:45 pm

    I am so with you on holding off on pumpkin and what better way to hold off than with this gorge peach salad! My neighbor has a peach tree, I think I'm gonna be knocking her door for some peaches because I need this in my belly! Love the sunny photos!
    Reply
    • Jessica says

      September 17, 2015 at 4:26 pm

      How convenient and delicious :) Thanks Molly for the kind words and do enjoy all the peaches!
      Reply
  8. Janey says

    September 16, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    This not only looks delicious and easy to make, it also looks beautiful. Do you think a balsamic dressing would be too overpowering for this salad? I love balsamic.
    Reply
    • Jessica says

      September 17, 2015 at 4:27 pm

      I don't think so, but the high acidity may wilt the arugula quickly so dress JUST before serving :) Enjoy!
      Reply
  9. Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says

    September 17, 2015 at 10:51 am

    End of summer...boo! But this looks like a great way to celebrate the end of the season's bounty. I love the flavor that comes from grilling fruit and peaches in particular. Oops, I've already started embracing apples.
    Reply
    • Jessica says

      September 17, 2015 at 4:30 pm

      Thanks SO much Karen! Ha! Yes, the hint of apples is in the air, who can resist! :)
      Reply
  10. Leah @ Grain Changer says

    October 1, 2015 at 7:05 am

    Oh WOW Jessica. This looks SO delicious! I'm so jealous that you still have some peaches hanging around your farmers markets. They have disappeared from the fruit stand here, but you better believe I am ALREADY begging next summer to get here so I can make this. YUM!
    Reply
    • Jessica says

      October 2, 2015 at 1:31 pm

      Thanks Leah! I know, it can be a little surreal sometimes living in southern california lol!
      Reply

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Welcome!

Hi! I'm Jessica, welcome to my blog! I'm a wife and mother of four (all boys, including twins. Did not see that coming!) who loves to eat. Discovering food intolerances in my family and myself had me think about cooking differently with an emphasis on nutrition, but not any less deliciously. No, won't settle for that, neither will my kids! Here you will find simple, healthy, seasonal recipes we love that are gluten, dairy, and soy free. Many are also egg free, nut free, plant-based and/or grain free, given our evolving dietary lifestyle. Even though we live a life of dietary restrictions, my passion for food keeps me on a constant quest to create tasty recipes or adapt our favorite recipes from my stack of cookbooks to bring back the joy of eating again, without sacrificing flavor. Hope you find some inspiration and recipes to enjoy ... thanks for stopping by!

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