Vibrant and beautifully balanced, this Escarole and Arugula Salad with White Peaches and Almonds is a study in contrasts—bitter greens meet sweet, fragrant peaches; peppery arugula mingles with buttery nuts and silky vinaigrette. Each bite offers a harmony of flavors and textures: crisp, creamy, bright, and just a touch decadent. The White Peach Sherry Vinaigrette ties everything together, making this salad an elegant first course or a refreshing summer main alongside grilled fish or roast chicken.
INGREDIENTS:
1 head escarole, around 4 cups, tender inner leaves, washed and dried
2-3 cups arugula, smaller leaves preferred, washed and dried
3-5 white peaches (freestone if available), ripe but not overly soft
1/2 heaping cup almonds, roasted and coarsely chopped
Crunchy salt such as Le Saunier de Camargue or Maldon, and pepper to taste
1 cup White Peach Sherry Vinaigrette, or as needed
METHOD:
Rinse the peaches and gently rub to remove fuzz. To peel easily, dip each peach briefly in boiling water, then into ice water, and slip off the skins. Cut into ½-inch cubes, reserving 2 tablespoons of the softest pieces for the vinaigrette if desired. Keep chilled until ready to use.
Tear the escarole leaves into large bite-sized pieces and place them in a large salad bowl. Add a few tablespoons of White Peach Sherry Vinaigrette and toss to coat lightly. Add half of the arugula, toss gently, then add the remaining arugula and fold together. Taste and adjust—there should be enough dressing to coat the leaves without overpowering them.
Divide the dressed greens among four chilled plates. In the same bowl, toss the peach cubes with a spoonful of vinaigrette and half of the almonds. Distribute the peach-almond mixture evenly over the salads.
Sprinkle each plate with crunchy salt, fresh pepper, and the remaining almonds. Serve immediately while cold.
VARIATIONS:
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Garnish with microgreens or arugula sprouts for extra texture.
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Add crumbled Gorgonzola Dolce or serve with Gorgonzola-topped crostini.
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Substitute white nectarines (cut into smaller ¼-inch dice) or yellow peaches if white peaches aren’t available.
YIELD: Serves 4
