This PeachSalad is the ultimate summer salad -- ripe, juicy peaches with tender avocados, creamy cheese, and crisp honey almonds. Drizzle on the best balsamic vinaigrette and dig in!
DRESSING: In a wide-mouth jar with a lid, combine all the dressing ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper; I add 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt and 1/16 teaspoon pepper. Briskly shake to combine and emulsify. (Don't have a jar? Briskly whisk in a bowl instead!) Check to make sure honey isn't sticking to the bottom -- whisk it into the mixture if it is. Taste and adjust the flavor to personal preference. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
SALAD: Set out mixed greens on individual plates or in a large bowl/platter. Remove pit from peach and thinly slice or dice. Add to greens. Remove peel and pit from avocado and thinly slice or dice. Add to greens. Toss gently (read Note 2 first) with about 3/4 of the dressing (shake dressing again before drizzling on). Then add the almonds and goat (or feta) on top and drizzle with the remaining dressing. Enjoy promptly.
Video
Notes
Note 1: Almonds: We love using a bag of honey-roasted almonds (so good, no work on your end!). These almonds are typically found near salad toppings (like croutons) in the store. If you have raw sliced almonds, I'd recommend toasting them or candying them before adding to this salad.
To toast the almonds: Add the sliced almonds in a single layer to a completely dry skillet (don't add any oil) on medium-high heat. Stir the almonds every 15 seconds for about 1-2 minutes or until the color slightly darkens and they start to smell good-- but watch carefully to prevent burning.
Note 2: Storage: Once dressed, this salad doesn’t sit very well with the dressing, cheese, and avocado mixed into it. (The avocado browns & the dressing wilts the greens.) If you aren’t planning to eat the entire salad in one sitting, toss and add dressing to the amount you’ll be eating at this time. Undressed, the salad stays fresh for 1-2 days. After a couple of days, the greens, cheese, and avocado deteriorate significantly. Salad will not freeze/thaw well.