Description
A vibrant and refreshing summer salad featuring peppery arugula, sweet and juicy nectarines, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty balsamic vinaigrette. Enhanced with fresh basil and crunchy nuts, this salad is quick to prepare and perfect as a light lunch or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 cups arugula, washed and dried
- 2 ripe nectarines, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (optional but adds depth)
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional for crunch)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until the dressing is well emulsified and combined.
- Prepare the ingredients: Thinly slice the nectarines and red onion. If using, chop the fresh basil and nuts finely to enhance texture and flavor distribution.
- Toss the arugula: Place the arugula in a large salad bowl. Drizzle a portion of the dressing over the greens and gently toss to ensure the arugula is lightly coated without bruising the leaves.
- Layer the toppings: Arrange the sliced nectarines, red onion, crumbled feta cheese, chopped basil, and nuts evenly on top of the dressed arugula to create an appealing presentation.
- Finish and serve: Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad just before serving to maintain freshness and a balanced flavor. Serve immediately for the best texture and taste.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm nectarines to avoid mushiness in the salad.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Chilling the salad ingredients briefly before serving can enhance the refreshing quality.
- Walnuts can be toasted lightly for added flavor and crunch.
- Adjust sweetness and acidity by balancing honey and vinegar according to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
