Tomato and Peach Salad

Tomato and Peach Salad

300g mixed, heritage tomatoes
200g mixed cherry tomatoes
4 peaches
1 small, red onion
1 Burrata cheese
a handful of basil leaves

Dressing:
30ml olive oil
30ml lemon juice
15ml balsamic vinegar
a pinch of salt
a few grindings of black pepper

Slice the tomato into quarters/thick slices and place on a serving plate.
Half the cherry tomatoes and add to the heritage tomatoes.
Wash and dry the peaches and then slice into wedges.
Slice the red onion and add to the tomato and peach.
Break the burrata into chunks and place on top of the other ingredients.
Chop the basil leaves and sprinkle over the salad.

Dressing:
Add all the ingredients to a cup and whisk together.
Drizzle over the salad and serve.

Peach and Bacon Toastie

Peach and Bacon Toastie

This makes a snack for 1 person.

3 slices bread, I prefer ciabatta
1 packet streaky bacon
2 ripe peaches
45ml tahini/sesame paste, thinned down with a few drops of olive oil

Preheat your oven to 190℃.
Place the sliced bread on a baking sheet and give it a light drizzle of olive oil.
Lay the bacon strips on another baking tray.
Place both trays in the oven until (1) the bread is toasted and (2) the bacon is done.
Remove the pip from the peaches and cut each half into slices. Set aside.
Mix the tahini with a few drops of olive oil so that it is thinned down and can be drizzled.
Place a slice of toast on a plate and drizzle with the tahini.
Arrange a layer of bacon on each slice and top that with a few slices of the peach.
Sit somewhere peaceful and enjoy every single bite!

Whoopy Peach Salad

Whoopy Peach Salad

This is without doubt one of the craziest ideas to READ about, but surprisingly satisfying and pleasing in a very old fashioned way. That statement in its own is somewhat out of the ordinary but please try this idea for a quick delicious side dish to smoked and salty meat dishes … you may just have a new favourite recipe!

1 large tin/can of peach halves
100g mature cheddar cheese, grated
60ml mayonnaise
60ml sour cream
125ml feta cheese, crumbed
a handful of basil leaves, chopped
a handful of pistachio or pine nuts
fresh lettuce to serve

Drain the peaches from the syrup.
Hold the peach in your hand with the rounded side facing upwards and make a shallow horizontal slice so that the peach can sit on it – cut away as little as possible.
Arrange some fresh lettuce on a serving plate and place the peach halves randomly, with the hollow facing upwards.
Fill each peach cavity loosely with grated cheddar cheese.
Add the yoghurt, sour cream, finely crumbed feta and chopped basil to a small bowl and stir together.
Spoon a generous dollop of the dressing onto the cheese in the peach cavity.
Scatter the pistachios/pine nuts over the salad and serve with the extra dressing on the side.

This salad goes surprisingly well with any smoked, cured or salty meat dishes that need that boost of natural sweetness.