Summer Tomato + Peach Salad with Candied Jalapeño Dressing

My tastebuds have officially transitioned into the season, and the constant craving: peaches. Sweet, ripe, juicy peaches. Every time I walk by the stack of freshpeaches at the grocery store, I’m tempted to buy like twelve. Luckily I’m mindful enough to know that is a total “mind is bigger than my stomach” moment, and I’ve re-directed my focus on finding the most fun + exciing Summer peach recipes to cook my way through this season. One of the big winners - this Summer Tomato + Peach Salad with Candied Jalapeño Dressing. It’s fun, it’s an ideal sweet + spicy moment to showcase some fresh peaches, and it has burrata. I think that’s enough said. But in case it wasn’t, it’s also a great use for some Summer tomatoes for anyone (like me) whose tomato plant is current popping off and there’s an immediate need to throw a few cherry tomatoes into any meal where they fit. Perfectly Summer-y and different - at least for our little household. Different + delicious, and I loved every spicy bite.

 
 

Sweet + Spicy

Be warned: this recipe is for the spice lovers and the dressing packs some serious heat.

The dressing it literally jalapeños blended up with herbs and the candying liquid. Nothing else, and so nothing else to really chill out the heat other than the sugar from the candying liquid. Point being if you’ve got a super spicy batch of candied jalapenos, you’re gonna have a super spicy dressing. Advice - use it sparingly and let the juices from the peaches and tomatoes act as a second sauce that aids in keeping the salad perfectly dressed.

The cheese + peaches with this spicy jalapeño dressing is the highlight of this whole salad. It’s the reason to make this salad over and over again. And if you’re not committing to the whole salad, abbreviate it by putting just some cheese (even burrata would be great) + peaches on a plate with a little drizzle of the sauce, and some bread on the side. Point being - you need this fruity, cheesy, and spicy combo in some capacity.

 
 

My only tip for the dressing: a good quality blender does wonders. One that does the job of getting a good fine chop going for anything you put in it. I use my little Ninja bullet that I usually reserve for my protein shakes, but it’s far more efficient that my day to day food processor and blender in getting that super fine chop.

A nod to the girl dinner

I made this dinner for Jordan and I one night, and love it, and it re-surfaced on a night at home by myself solely because I was craving 2 things: peaches + cheese. For sure thought about making a small personalized cheese plate for a solo night in, but this fit the bill. It felt like + girly + Summer-y, and I enjoyed every damn bite.

Such a good Summer hit that I’d for sure make again for anyone who can handle a little spice. And I’ll be putting my candied jalapeños to good use with this recipe for years to come!

 
 

For the dressing

  • 1/3 c. candied jalapeños + the liquid

  • Juice from 1/2 a lemon

  • 1 c. fresh basil

For the salad

  • A handful of arugula

  • 1/4 c. crumbled feta

  • 1/4 of a red onion, thinly sliced

  • Salt + pepper

  • 1 peach, cut into wedges

  • 1 c. cherry tomatoes (halved) or 2-3 plum tomatoes cut into chunks (we use whatever garden tomatoes are ripe)

  • 1/4 c. pistachios, chopped

  • Everything bagel seasoning

Start by making the dressing. Add all of the ingredients for the dressing to a blender and whip until you have a smooth mixture. Cover and set aside in the fridge.

Now for the salad. Place the arugula, feta, red onion, and a pinch of salt + pepper into a large bowl. Toss with 2-3 tablespoons of the prepared dressing. Separate the lettuce into bowls. Top with the peach wedges and spinkle with tomatoes. Drizzle a bit of additional dressing over the top. Finish by sprinkling the pistachios and seasoning blend over the top. It’s ready to go

Lesley ZehnerComment