Grilled Peach & Mozzarella Salad

grilled peaches3

I am obsessed with grilling peaches lately. I don't know why, but they take on a whole different taste and texture when they are grilled.

This fantastic summer salad is my new favorite in the repetoire. I could eat it everyday!

I tested it out a few different ways, changing the herbs, oils, and even peach grilling method, and I finally came to the best method, so I think!

First start by grilling peaches.

You don't have to make this salad, you can just snack on them like chips, they are so good!



I tried grilling 3 types of peaches, and found the white peaches to stand up best on the grill, the yellow ones fell apart easily.

First, make sure the peaches are not too ripe, almost one day before you would bite into them.
They should be firm, otherwise they will fall apart on the grill.

Make sure you are using a thin, metal fish spatula to make flipping the peach slices easy.



I used 1 peach per person.

Slice the peach into thin slices until you get to the pit.
Then turn the peach on the other side of the pit and continue to slice.
You will be left with the sides of the peach around the pit, which you are going to use for your dressing. Cut up the leftover peach pieces and put them in a chopper or food processor.

Drizzle a little oil (I used canola) over the peaches and grill on medium heat for a few minutes, turning only once. You should have nice grill marks, but keep an eye on them so they don't burn. Remove to a platter. You can make the grilled peach slices ahead and keep them wrapped in the fridge.



Dressing: (makes enough for 4 salads at least)

leftover peach pieces
1/8 of a red onion, cut up
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
3 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
juice and zest of 1 fresh lime
1-2 tbsp of honey (depends on how sweet you like it)
1/8 cup olive oil (amount to be determined at the end by you)

Whiz everything, except the olive oil in the food processor. Taste before proceeding. You might want it a bit sweeter or more minty!
It should be a nice chunky apple sauce consistency.



Add olive oil until you have the consistency you like, about 1/8 cup, and pulse a few seconds.

Lay arugula or watercress on individual plates, and layer fresh bufala mozzarella slices, alternating grilled peach slices in between the cheese slices. About 3 slices of cheese and peach per person.

Place the peach and mozzarella layers on top of the salad and drizzle with the dressing.
Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a tiny bit of minced red onion.



Enjoy!

Comments

Steve said…
Stace,
Beautiful. Finally the peaches smell like peaches. I'm a fan of grilled peaches as well. Love the sound of this dressing. I used the last of the mozz but you won't kill me for adding a little blue cheese?
Oh my GOD, Stacey. That looks incredible. Thank goodnes I ate breakfast! I'm definitely going to have to make this soon. I'll bet goat cheese would be great too! Way to go on this beautiful, creative salad!
The JR said…
Those grilled peaches do look like they make a great addition to a salad. Cool.
Claudia said…
I love entering a grocery and breathing in peach and nectarines - so of course - I buy a ton because it's that time of year. I love the idea of the thinly sliced grilled peaches - just intensifies the delicious flavor.
kat said…
Yummy! I just love peaches in savory applications like this
Jen_from_NJ said…
Can you believe that I haven't had a peach yet this summer?! I need to head to an orchard today. I love grilled peaches and your dressing sounds fantastic.
Ciao Chow Linda said…
I want that salad. Never tried grilling white peaches, only yellow ones, but this is on my list for when I get home.
This needs to be on the cover of a magazine, beautiful! I love the way you sliced the peaches and the way everything looks, now I just want to eat it! I will be making this you know.
Dana said…
I've never grilled a peach! Time to try. I love that you use all of that precious fruit. Sounds like a wonderful backyard meal to me!
Patsyk said…
I need to buy peaches now! I love that you put them together with fresh mozzarella... thinking this could be the perfect summer salad.
Lisa from Delaware said…
Hi, Stacey. Wow! All of your experimenting paid off for a yummy recipe with lots of TLC. You are definitely a creative genius! Love the dressing flavors and how it all works together. (I like the white donut peaches). Thank you. Lisa
Natalie said…
Love unique salad recipes and this one certainly fits the bill!
Culinary Cory said…
I've never thought about combining grilled peaches with mozzarella. Great idea.
EileenB said…
This was wonderful! I finally got around to making this, but substituted goat cheese for the mozzarella (too late to make it to the italian market). It worked out great, and I have enough leftover dressing to try it for lunch again with the right cheese. Thanks for another keeper recipe!

Eileen B