Hi Everyone 🙂
This week has been heavy. I want to keep this space light hearted and filled with delicious recipes but I didn’t want to not acknowledge what we all are feeling. I’ve been doing my best to stay informed, donate to as many causes as possible, and sign every petition I come across. Staying silent is no longer an option (not that it should have ever been one) and I feel that if we want to see change we all must all do our part to make that happen.
I announced my care package business and have decided that for the month of June I will be donating 100% of the proceeds to Campaign Zero. “Funds donated to Campaign Zero support the analysis of policing practices across the country, research to identify effective solutions to end police violence, technical assistance to organizers leading police accountability campaigns and the development of model legislation and advocacy to end police violence nationwide.” Source.
Campaign Zero targets Federal, State, and Local Legislation directly to help implement change that is much needed in our country.
Now onto some food stuff because food makes everyone happy
I am a HUGE summer fruit fan, (give me all the berries), and I love when it’s starting to become peach season.
One great way to use peaches if they are not in peak season yet is to grill them. Grilling the peaches allows for the natural sugars to release and gives them more flavor. Enter in, Grilled Peach Caprese Salad
The hardest part of this recipe is slicing the peaches in half to remove the pit. My peaches were still pretty under-ripe so I struggled a bit with removing the pit. Just do it carefully and if you have to just slice around the pit and not get perfect halves (as you can see happened to me a bit..) that’s no big deal since the peaches get chopped up anyways for the salad.
The riper your peaches are to start the less time you should grill them. Mine were still more firm and underripe so I grilled them for about 3 minutes each side to get them nice and juicy while still having nice texture.
Once the peaches cool slightly I cut them into bite sized pieces and toss them with honey, salt, and pepper.
This step you can do ahead of time and just let the peaches hang out with the honey. They will get even sweeter and more delicious. But if you are not doing this ahead of time just go ahead and add the remaining ingredients.
cherry tomatoes, basil, goat cheese, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
I’m a goat cheese LOVER (as I think most know by now) and I love the way the goat cheese and peach pair together. If you are anti goat cheese or just prefer mozzarella feel free to substitute that. I also think feta would work.
This salad is so bright and flavorful. The addition of the grilled peaches gives a slight char flavor that pairs so nicely with all the bright flavors of the tomatoes and basil. Serve this alongside any grilled item of choice.
Grilled Peach Caprese Salad
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 8 peaches, sliced in half, pit removed
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes (about 4 cups total), sliced in half
- 6 oz goat cheese
- 2 cups of basil leaves, torn or sliced thin
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium high heat.
- Grill the peaches for about 2 minutes per side. You just want some nice marks on them and for them to cook slightly. If your peaches are more firm, (meaning not as ripe), grill them for a bit longer.
- Allow the peaches to cool slightly then cut them up into bite sized pieces. Drizzle with the honey and season with a large pinch of salt and black pepper.
- Toss in the remaining ingredients (tomatoes, goat cheese, basil, olive oil, balsamic) and season to taste with more salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature.
Note*:
- Mozzarella or feta would be good substitutions if you do not like goat cheese.
- I never recommend buying any “pre-crumbled” cheese, it’s best to buy the goat cheese in log form and break it up yourself.
I hope you give this salad a try! I will be posting my easy grilled fish recipe I’ve been promising you tomorrow. It would be the perfect accompaniment with this salad.
xx Chelcie
