Grilled Apricots might sound a little weird to you. But, I have fresh, tree-ripened apricots just picked from my neighbour's tree. This makes me very happy, and I intend to make some jam. I wanted to save some of these golden lovelies for the barbecue, though, because we love to grill fruit as well as veggies. Really, we like to grill pretty much anything at my house.
I love the fruit growing season. At this time of year, it seems like we're not finished with the last freshly harvested fruit or veggie before the next one comes along. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, not at all. Sometimes, though, it can be a little overwhelming trying to keep coming up with new ideas for all of this beautifully delicious onslaught. I've been experiencing inspiration fatigue. Creative burnout, or whatever you want to call it. My brain just didn't feel like giving me an apricot recipe. It was taking a recipe break.
Then I saw a recipe in the July newsletter from Choices Markets that inspired me to make this easy Grilled Apricots & Arugula Salad. I have apricots. Plus, arugula and basil growing away in the garden. Isn't it so awesome when you have everything on hand when you see a recipe that you like?
When I saw this recipe I knew I was gonna take the easy way. So I made this recipe for grilled apricot & arugula salad, and used the Choices recipe, changing up only the cheese, although next time I will add some toasted nuts. This salad was so simple, and so delicious. Grilling fruit is a great way to intensify their flavour. And the slightly charred smokiness of grilled fruit just makes it work so well for savoury dishes. I know we'll be making this one again.
.Now, here come the peaches, and I hope to have my inspiration mojo back.
Apricots - just picked
Grilled Apricot & Arugula Salad
Ingredients
- juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
- 8 small apricots halved and pitted.
- 2 cups arugula
- 1 cup basil leaves thinly sliced or torn
- 3 teaspoon coarsely grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Instructions
- Heat grill to medium-high. Lightly oil grill
- In a bowl, whisk together lime juice, maple syrup, olive oil, and salt and pepper.
- Toss apricots in the dressing
- Place apricots on the hot grill, searing each side until you see grill marks, about 30 seconds.
- Toss the remaining dressing with arugula and basil.
- Arrange on plates or platter and top with the grilled apricot halves and cheese. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Dina
Judging from the response to this post you have hit something good here. I love grilling fruits, this salad is going to happen in my kitchen this week. Thanks for sharing. I always find inspiration here.
Colleen
Thanks Dina, it's mutual! I love your fresh and delicious looking recipes.
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I just got back from an Okanagan vacation a couple of weeks back and wish I still had all the apricots we picked. This salad would have been perfect! Looks so yummy! Lucky you to have a neighbor like that! Hope to retire there and have my own fruit trees one day... 🙂
Colleen
Thanks Terri. We do love it here. We used to have fruit trees, but now we just have neighbours, (which is actually a lot easier, ha ha). It's a win win because the neighbours get jars of jam or pickles, or sometimes even cocktails 🙂
Vicky Chin
Those apricots look gorgeous! This is a nice summer salad! I agree, there are so many fruits and veggies in the summer, it can be a difficult decision of what to make! And I love them all! I miss the fruit trees at my parents' old house. We had cherries, pear, plums.....Thanks for sharing ! Have a great summer!
Colleen
Thanks Vicky, same to you!
Koko
Lucky you! I wish I had a neighbour growing apricots. What a treat to have them so fresh! This salad looks gorgeous...perfect for a summer meal on the patio!
Colleen
Thanks Koko! I really am lucky, I know.
Alexandra | Occasionally Eggs
Apricots from your neighbour's tree?! They're beautiful! I love the look of this salad, and the grilled apricots must be spectacular.
Colleen
Thanks so much Alexandra. I'm fortunate to have neighbours who like to share 🙂
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
Love the flavors and prettiness of this salad! Among the stone fruits, apricots are my favorite, I eat them by the dozen 🙂 . Grilled and mixed in a salad with arugula, basil, and a gorgeous dressing, are so my thing!
Colleen
Thanks Nicoletta! They are one of my favorites, too.