I was at a local farmer's market today to do some voter registration, and couldn't help picking up a few items. I had this thing about basil paired with either nectarines or blackberries stuck in my head. So I picked up a big bunch of fresh, local, organic basil and brought it home.
I wish I could take credit for the rest of the inspiration, but I must give credit where it is due. The name alone was enough for me to fall in love: nectarine and basil salad with goat cheese. I was lucky to have a goat cheese on hand already (although not the specific one mentioned in the original post, but it was local), and I didn't even know what Prosecco was, so I asked my friend wikipedia and decided I could make do with about a quarter teaspoon of white balsamic vinegar, which I did have on hand. The total prep time was under five minutes, and the only non-local ingredient was the balsamic vinegar.
This isn't one of those salads that you eat when you're really hungry. It's one of those salads that you make because you want to enjoy the flavors of the season. It's also one of those salads you can make if your spouse's boss is coming for dinner and you want to serve something local, yet pretty and fancy and impressive.
I'm not sure I've ever felt so happy eating local before. It was heavenly.
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1 year ago
7 comments:
Fancy, schmancy! I love mixing flavors like that that you so wouldn't think would go together - but they miracuously do.
You know, goat cheese is the only cheese I don't like. I wonder if I could substitute some other type? The salad looks absolutely heavenly and my basil plant is loaded. :-)
Yep, I can see how licking the plate in front of hubby's boss might negate having impressed him with the salad. My dad came over one year for my birthday. We had ordered an ice cream cake and I dished it out to everyone. When we were done, I was eyeing those last drops of ice cream on the plate. I looked at my dad, I looked at the plate, I looked at my dad yet again and said, "Enh, I know you well enough by now." I picked up the plate and licked it clean. :)
As for the salad, I never would have thought to putting those things together but it actually sounds good. Yum, good job!
Wow, that salad sounds fantastic!
green bean, thanks, just call me martha ;) this salad really was like a little miracle!
rapunzel, I don't know if another cheese would work. I've been thinking about it and I'm not sure there's anything out there that's got the same combination of distinctness and mildness that goat cheese does. Maybe a really mild feta or something? Let me know if you find anything!
heather, ice cream cake is definitely worth licking the plate for!
berrybird, it was sooooo good! I need to go get more nectarines so I can make it again!
Oh dear sweet yum...I have basil and goat cheese...eyes open for appropriate fruit!
lewru, I think peaches would work too! Let me know if you try something different!
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