Summer Nectarine Salad

For all the time I spent on Pinterest, you’d think I do a new workout and sew a new garment and prepare a new recipe every day.  Sorry to burst your bubble, but I don’t.  Not even close.

Every once in a while, though, I come across something that must.be.made.now.  This summer nectarine salad from Honestly Yum is one of those things.  How could you not love a salad with prosciutto, nectarines, heirloom tomatoes, and mozzarella?  Impossible!

If you’re not convinced, take a look at it up close:

I mean, really…….drooooooooooooool!

As written, the recipe is:

• 3-4 nectarines
• 2 heirloom tomatoes
• 1 ball of mozzarella di bufala
• 1 small bundle of basil
• 6-8 slices of prosciutto
• 2 heads of little gem lettuce
• 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
• Sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

• Rinse and dry the lettuce and rip larger leaves in half.
• Slice the nectarines and tomatoes into wedges.
• Assemble the salad by laying the lettuce down on the bottom, scatter the tomatoes and nectarines over the lettuce.
• Tear the mozzarella over the salad.
• Tear leaves of basil over the salad.
• Lay slices of prosciutto throughout the salad.
• To make the dressing, whisk together 1/4  cup of balsamic vinegar with 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil.
• Season salad with sea salt and black pepper.

I followed the basics of the recipe Honestly Yum set out (above), but I’ve never used butter or gem lettuce to make it.  I’ve made it with both mixed spring greens and arugula, and both are tasty.  Let’s be honest here:  it’s the “goodies” that make this salad so delicious.

And why stop at nectarines for fruity goodness in the salad?  Instead of basalmic to dress it, I like to make a quick vinaigrette of 3 parts orange juice , 1 part lemon juice, a dash of apple cider vinegar, and a hearty glug of EVOO.   I whizz it all together in my smoothie cup blender (but a whisk would do you just fine, too.)  Adding this slightly sweet dressing balances the salty of the prosciutto and mozzarella nicely.

If you have a favorite summer salad, won’t you please leave me the recipe or a link to where I can find it?

Good health and great happiness to you!