Summer Grilled Peach Salad

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Summer Grilled Peach Salad
Grilled peaches served atop a bed of arugala make for a great summertime salad. Add gorgonzola cheese and pecans for the perfect final touch.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pecans
  • 4 large fresh, ripe peaches, halved
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 (4-oz.) wedge Gorgonzola cheese, broken into 8 pieces
  • 2 cups arugula
  • 1/4 cup honey*
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 10 to 12 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
  2. Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat. Gently toss peach halves in 1 Tbsp. olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Grill peaches, cut sides down, covered with grill lid, 2 to 3 minutes or until golden. Turn peaches, and place 1 cheese piece in center of each peach; grill, covered with grill lid, 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese begins to melt.
  3. Toss arugula with remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Arrange arugula on a serving platter; sprinkle with toasted pecans, and top with grilled peach halves. Drizzle peaches with honey, and sprinkle with chives.

*Aged balsamic vinegar may be substituted.

Strawberry Fields Salad

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Strawberry Fields Salad
Ripe orange nectarines add a colorful layer of flavor to this refreshing salad. Layers of greens, strawberries, feta cheese, green tomato, fresh basil, and glazed pecans make for an unbeatable summer salad.

Ingredients

  • 4 large nectarines, cut into 1/4-inch-thick wedges
  • 3/4 cup Lemon-Poppy Seed Dressing,
  • 1 10-ounce package gourmet mixed salad greens
  • 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
  • 1 4-ounce package crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 large green tomato, diced*
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/2 cup Glazed Pecans

 Preparation

  1. Toss nectarines with 1/4 cup Lemon-Poppy Seed Dressing.
  2. Layer gourmet mixed salad greens, nectarines, strawberries, and next 4 ingredients in a large glass bowl.
  3. Serve immediately, or cover and chill up to 8 hours.
  4. Toss salad with remaining 1/2 cup dressing just before serving.

*1 1/2 cups halved miniature heirloom green tomatoes may be substituted.

Lemon-Poppy Seed Dressing

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped onion
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation

  1. Process vegetable oil, sugar, fresh lemon juice, poppy seeds, finely chopped onion, Dijon mustard, and salt in a blender until smooth.
  2. Store in refrigerator up to 1 week; serve at room temperature.

Glazed Pecans

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pecan halves
  • ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons dark corn syrup

Preparation

  1. Stir together pecan halves, brown sugar, and dark corn syrup in a small bowl.
  2. Spread mixture in a lightly greased aluminum foil-lined jelly-roll pan.
  3. Bake at 350° for 12 to 15 minutes or until glaze thickens, stirring every 4 minutes.
  4. Spread in a single layer on wax paper; cool completely, separating pecans as they cool. (For the prettiest garnish, leave some in clusters.)
  5. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Yield: Makes about 2 cups.

Spinach-Apple Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

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Spinach-Apple Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette
This deluxe version of spinach salad features a tangy sweet maple syrup vinaigrette, sliced apple, onion and and goat cheese and is topped with sweet curried pecans.

Ingredients

Sugared Curried Pecans

  • 1 (6-oz.) package pecan halves
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

  • 1/3 cup cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2/3 cup olive oil

Salad

  • 1 (10-oz.) package fresh baby spinach, thoroughly washed
  • 1 Gala apple, thinly sliced
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 (4-oz.) package crumbled goat cheese

Preparation

1. Prepare Pecans: Preheat oven to 350°. Toss pecans in butter. Stir together sugar and next 4 ingredients in a bowl; add pecans, tossing to coat. Spread in a single layer in a nonstick aluminum foil-lined pan. Bake 10 to 13 minutes or until lightly browned and toasted. Cool in pan on a wire rack 20 minutes; separate pecans with a fork.

2. Prepare Vinaigrette: Whisk together cider vinegar and next 4 ingredients. Gradually whisk in oil until well blended.

3. Prepare Salad: Combine spinach and next 3 ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle with desired amount of Maple-Cider Vinaigrette; toss to coat. Sprinkle with pecans. Serve salad with any remaining vinaigrette.

Note

Pecans may be made up to 1 week ahead. Store in an airtight container. Vinaigrette may be made up to 3 days ahead. Cover and chill until ready to serve.