Tastes like Summer
We discovered this simple salad recipe two years ago while living in Florida and searching for new “easy” ideas for the kids to prepare.
That summer we really enjoyed our family meals! We had relocated as a family to Naples, FL for 4 months, waiting for the world to reopen and begin our busy lives…and made a routine of adventuring in the mornings when the temperatures were cooler, then heading home to prepare a feast and sit together on the covered patio to enjoy our meal while the afternoon rain washed the heat away.
It was there, I decided that each of our kids should learn to prepare foods they love, and with our help, we would search for recipes, make grocery lists, shop, and plan the meal. Life is a lot busier now, and we knew it would be eventually, but the meals we prepared together are a lovely memory and still a talent they each share for specific treats.
This particular summer salad is one of my favorites and a dish I have brought to several gatherings since that summer. In the winter, I use apples instead of nectarines…and this weekend I found delicious peaches that made for a sweet version with the promise of summer.
Enjoy as a side dish, or fresh lunch. I could nibble on this salad all day!
With the exception of market fresh tomatoes and fruits, most of the ingredients are available at Trader Joe’s (right across the street!) Oh, and my favorite olives are at Whole Foods, frescatrano, but I’ve also used less salty black olives as well.
Ingredients:
Small Tomatoes - Cherry, or any variety in season small round tomato
Olives - as stated above I love this with the frescatrano green olives from Whole Foods, but if you like olives, go with your favorite
Fruit - late summer Nectarines are amazing, peaches, apples or other types of stone fruits work well
Mozzarella - your choice. I like to use the small round mozzarella balls in seasoned oil, but fresh buffalo mozzarella would be amazing as well
Rustic Bread - this makes the salad more a meal…grab a loaf of rustic ciabatta bread and it will expand your salad and fill you up a bit more too
Olive Oil, Balsamic and Garlic Sea Salt - the balsamic we favor is the Balsamic Glaze from Trader Joe’s
Directions:
Slice, Dice and toss all the ingredients into a large salad bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic and season with garlic salt.
Seriously its that easy. Enjoy the taste of Summer!
