Nectarine Arugula Salad with Cheese Curds

A lovely summer salad — ripe nectarines, peppery arugula, fresh cheese curds,
and perhaps some basil brought together with olive oil and lime..
Simple, stunning, and best eaten the day you buy everything.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 2 nectarines ripe but firm nectarines, pitted & sliced into wedges
  • 3 Cups arugula
  • 2 oz cheese curds
  • 4 leaves fresh basil torn
  • 1 shallot very thinly sliced
  • Microgreens optional
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Place the arugula across a wide plate or in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss. Add lime juice and lightly season with salt and pepper, then toss again.
  • Arrange the nectarine wedges over the greens.
  • Tear the cheese curds into small pieces and scatter them across the top, followed by the sliced shallot separated into rings. Sprinkle the torn basil and/or microgreens over the top. Serve immediately.

Notes

Cheese: Any fresh curds will work - we suggest Achadinha Mellow Yellow but you can pick your favorite flavor or use fresh mozzarella as a substitute.
Nectarines: This salad is only as good as your nectarines. Freestones will make prettier slices as the fruit will separate easily from the pit.
Smell them — if they smell like a nectarine, they’ll taste like one. Either yellow or white works beautifully. Switch things up by grilling the nectarine halves then cooling before slicing into wedges.
Recipe by Trace (@traceeatslocal / traceeatslocal.com)