just peachy

I can name so many reasons why I love summer.....

no school

sleeping in

late night sunsets

but the one that is on the top of my list right now is produce!  I felt all giddy when I went grocery shopping this week because there was such great fruit that I love on sale: mangos, strawberries, cherries, apricots, and peaches!

Speaking of peaches, I have the most amazing summer salad recipe with peaches and some other utterly scrumptious items that will make you want to do a little dance in your kitchen. 

I wish I could claim this recipe as my own but I found it in my Women's Health magazine and knew I had to give it a try.

Apricot Salad with Basil Oil:

3 ripe peaches, thinly sliced

3 cups arugula

2 Tbsp. chopped pecans or walnuts

4 oz. fresh mozzarella diced into 1 in. cubes

3 Tbsp. extra virgin alive oil

2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar

1 cup fresh basic leaves

1/4 tsp. salt

In a large bowl, toss peaches, arugula, walnuts, and mozzarella together. 

In a food process, combine the rest of the ingredients. 

P.S: I love my ninja, if it ever broke on me I would cry a bucket of tears. 

Drizzle the dressing on top of the salad and mix together.

The Mr. was getting hungry and photo bombed the pic.  He is a professional picker at foods when you're preparing them. 

We served it up with some grilled chicken.  This salad was perfection!  The sweetness of the peaches was balanced out by the mozzarella and slight hint of salt in the dressing.  It was light but filling, just so delicious.  It screamed "summertime"!!!

The one thing I always have a hard time with is buying ingredients that I only use a small portion of and they end up going to waste.  I did some strategic meal planning this week so the mozzarella and the basil I bought wouldn't go to waste and tomorrow we're taking an adventure and making Italian Meatball Sliders from Cooking Light. I'll make sure to give you a recap for that recipe just in case you want to use your ingredients wisely :)