Arugula Salad with Peach and Goat Cheese is a harmony of flavors and textures to delight the senses.
Arugula is rich in cancer fighting sulphoraphanes. Peaches bring both tanginess and sweetness along with anti0xidant cell protective carotenoids. A drizzle of olive oil, a source of Vitamins A and E and a sprinkling of cranberries filled with cell protective plant chemicals makes this a nutrient packed main dish or side dish.
Serves 4
Gluten free
Ingredients
4 ounces organic baby arugula leaves (about 6 cups)
Juice and Zest of one organic lemon
1 Tablespoon organic extra virgin olive oil
4 firm ripe peaches, cut in half, pits removed
1 four ounce round log of goat cheese (optional if you are vegan or dairy sensitive)
¼ cup finely chopped and toasted pecans or walnuts
¼ cup dried cranberries
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Lightly toast ¼ cup of finely chopped fresh walnuts or pecans
To toast nuts:
place chopped nuts in a dry cast iron pan and hold over a medium heat until very lightly toasted, shaking or stirring the pan constantly OR place in a toaster oven for 2-4 minutes
Remove from pan onto a flat plate immediately and let cool
Add ¼ cup dried cranberries to plate with cooled, toasted nuts
Roll the goat cheese log in the nut and cranberry mixture so that the surface of the goat cheese log is coated with nuts and cranberries
Cut the log into four rounds
Toss Arugula leaves with lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, ¼ teaspoon sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Compose the Arugula Salad
Divide the tossed arugula onto 4 salad plates
Place one round of nut/berry encrusted goat cheese on top of arugula
Place peach halves on top of greens, add a squeeze of lemon juice,and a light sprinkling of sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Variations
Drizzle a little honey over each peach half
Add a garnish of freshly chopped basil leaves on top of each plate
Sprinkle each salad with ¼ teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves (use lemon thyme if available)
Add 4 ounces of sliced chicken breast or top with ½ cup of garbanzo beans to add protein to your meal.
Serves 4
Gluten Free
