Arugula Goat Cheese Salad with Grilled Peaches

A salad with grilled peaches, arugula and goat cheese.

Arugula Goat Cheese Salad with Grilled Peaches

Making this salad with grilled peaches is a fun toss between a salad and a cheese course. Grilling fresh peaches will give them a hint of smoke, and a touch of caramelization. Serve them with salty goat cheese and a splash of balsamic vinaigrette = ideal for Summer dining.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Servings

Calories 162kcal

Author Lea Ann Brown

Ingredients

6 fresh peaches halved and pitted
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 ½ teaspoons balsamic vinegar Aged is best
4 ounces arugula stemmed
4 ounces goat cheese cut into 12 slices
more thyme stalks for garnish

Instructions

Light a grill and preheat to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss the fresh peaches with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and 2 teaspoons thyme leaves. Season with half the salt and pepper. Let stand for 10 minutes.
In the meantime, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and the remaining olive oil.
Grill the peach halves, or slices over high heat for about 6 minutes, turning once, until lightly charred and softened.
Arrange the goat cheese slices on plates. Top with arugula and then grilled peaches. Drizzle on the balsamic vinaigrette. Gently salt and pepper if you wish and garnish with fresh thyme. Serve right away.

Notes

Tips For Success:

Let the goat cheese sit in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This will make slicing cleaner and easier. A cleaner slices cheese will result in a prettier and more professional looking salad.
I've made this salad over a dozen times. There are times that the peaches aren't quite ripe enough and the peaches are simply a struggle to cut in half and remove the pit. Once you slice around the peach and it simply won't come apart into two halves, simply start slicing the peach and removing the slices from the pit.
Use a grill basket if you'd like to make grilling peach slices easier.
Fresh apricots are a good substitution for this salad.

Nutrition