Arugula Salad with Apricot-Mint Vinaigrette
This festive summer salad with a lively apricot-mint vinaigrette has a little bit of everything but the fresh apricots are the undisputed star of the show.
Author: Lemons and Anchovies
Recipe type: Salad
Ingredients
- For the Dressing (makes about 1 cup):
- 3 apricots, peeled and seed removed
- 6 - 7 fresh mint leaves
- 3 teaspoons honey
- 4 Tablespoons white balsamic vinegar (or champagne or red wine vinegar)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
- For the Salad (adjust amounts according to your liking):
- Fresh arugula (about 1 cup per plate)
- Apricots, halved, seeded and sliced (about ½ to 1 apricot per plate)
- Mint leaves (just a few per plate)
- Small heirloom tomatoes, halved (or cherry tomatoes; a few pieces per plate)
- Small cubes of French Feta (or any Feta cheese you like; a few pieces per plate)
- Thinly-sliced red onion
- Candied pecans (homemade or store-bought; I used Trader Joe's)
Instructions
- To prepare the vinaigrette, purée the apricots and mint leaves in a small food processor with the honey. Transfer to bowl and add the vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk in the olive oil until emulsified and set aside.
- To assemble the salad, arrange the ingredients on serving plates and top with the vinaigrette.
Lisa (authenticsuburbangourmet) says
What a stunning salad! I absolutely love the board color. So fun hanging out yesterday with you – thank you for lunch and sharing your prop wisdom. Great post!!!
lemonsandanchovies says
Lisa, it was great fun shopping for prop supplies with you. Looking forward to seeing you work your magic with the materials you purchased. Have a great week. 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Your salad is absolutely gorgeous, Jean! I love the fresh apricots and your vinaigrette sounds divine. What a perfect combination of flavors!
Suzanne says
beautiful salad and I love the colors of the photos, I can definitely see myself eating this salad really soon.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Never imagined that apricot and mint goes together very well. This is a must try. I haven’t had fresh apricot this year yet and I’m very intrigued after reading your post. I love your green color board. It’s been one of to do to make something like this but haven’t had a chance yet. Maybe this summer… we’ll see. My kids can help me? Um, maybe not a good idea. =P Very beautiful pictures and I had a hard time picking one for pinning. 🙂
lemonsandanchovies says
Nami, I wasn’t sure that they would go well together but I was so happy I gave it a try. The mint really does complement the apricots in the dressing.
I bet your kiddies would have fun painting a board with you but if you want me to help you, just say the word. It would be fun! 🙂
Toni @ Boulder Locavore says
The colors of this salad and in your photo styling are out of this world! I’m completely smitten and can’t wait to make it.
lemonsandanchovies says
Gee, thanks, Toni! 🙂
Adora says
Hi Jean! Stunning photos of such a beautiful salad. I love all the ingredients you’ve put in, indeed a party in the mouth. I’m glad those apricots went into a salad. It just captures the freshness of the fruit.
Patty says
Hi Jean! The colors of your salad and the lovely staging in your photos are so striking and appealing. I have to try your arugula apricot salad- it sounds so good. I love fresh ripe apricots and try to get my fill during their too short of a season;-)
lemonsandanchovies says
Patty, thanks! I still want to make an apricot tart but this ended up being a nice Plan B. 🙂
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says
Jean, this salad is downright gorgeous. The candied pecans sound divine with the apricots and arugula. Beautiful photos.
Suzi says
This is a beautiful salad and your photos are so appetizing. Don’t you just love the peppery taste of arugula?
Beth Michelle says
Absolutely LOVE this vinaigrette! And it sounds so perfect on this delicious salad.
Mary Ellen @ Pâte à Chew says
That dressing sounds to-die for – what a great flavor combination!
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles says
Absolutely gorgeous summer salad complete with luminous photos. Buzz love to you! 🙂
lemonsandanchovies says
Thanks so much for the buzz, Kelly! 🙂
Rosa says
A gorgeous salad! Really original and wonderfully seasonal. Lovely pictures.
Cheers,
Rosa
Cassie says
I can’t get over how stunning this salad is. The combination of flavors is just heavenly.
Steph@stephsbitebybite says
This is my kind of salad!! I love adding summer fruit to the tops of ’em!
Magic of Spice says
There is absolutely nothing second-rate about this gorgeous salad! And the vinaigrette is just a delight….gorgeous summer salad!
RecipeNewZ says
I found this post though Pinterest. The photo was so beautiful that I just had to come here to read the recipe! Love it! And love your site :-).
I would like to invite you to share this post (and your other posts 🙂 ) on a new photo based recipe sharing site that launched in May. The idea is simple: all recipe photographs are published within minutes of submission. And, of course, the images link back to the author’s site.
It’s called RecipeNewZ (with Z) – http://recipenewz.com
I hope you get a chance to visit and to share some of your delicious posts with our viewers. It would be a pleasure to have you on board 🙂
Rowena @ Apron and Sneakers says
This will be among the firsts that I will try as soon as I get to harvest our apricots. I can’t wait! I absolutely love salads like this. And the colors are stunning. Wonderful Jean!
DB-The Foodie Stuntman says
Looking forward to those vacation pics! Nice salad which is perfect for the warm weather!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie says
I love love this recipe Jean! I’m smiling at your words “party in my mouth” I can imagine. Can’t wait to see your next travel post but I’m glad you’ve also shared this beautiful seasonal salad. Going to give it a try this week.
Jen Laceda @ Tartine and Apron Strings says
i love the flavours and the colours of this salad! It makes me think of being seaside…in Martha’s Vineyard or the Hamptons or something! This is an easy summery lunch!
Gina says
Hi Jean,
Okay I got here through FB, probably is me. I’m thinking of hanging it up myself. Not enough time in the day anymore. I’ve been working much more too. Isn’t the apricot and mint combo amazing? I wanted some more apricots, but they aren’t quite ready yet at the farm stand I frequent. I but that dressing and salty cheese make the salad pop. Can’t wait for our jam party.
-Gina-
Sandra's Easy Cooking says
Beautiful salad! I love the combination of flavor..bit sweet and peppery..just perfect! Loving your pics too!!!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Yum! This salad looks amazing, and the dressing sounds divine. Beautiful photos!
Carrie | acookgrowsinbrooklyn says
Those apricots look amazing. I don’t know if I’ve ever had an apricot dressing – but such a good idea. Especially on spicy arugula leaves.
sippitysup says
It’s good to grab the apricots when you can this time of year. They are fleeting and nvever more beautiful than here! GREG
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
That apricot vinaigrette sounds fantastic, and I can never get enough fresh salads like this when it’s hot.
Kim - Liv LIfe says
Oh, my beloved apricot!! We had an apricot tree when I was growing up and I’ve loved them as long as I can remember. Never had them in quite this way though and I’m absolutely intrigued.
Jeanette says
I love using fresh fruit in salads and salad dressings – happen to have a box of apricots so giving this whirl!
Roxana GreenGirl { A little bit of everything} says
the salad looks amazing Jean! So colorful, so summer-like! and the vinaigrette, mmmm
Priscilla | ShesCookin says
Waah, I want a green board 😉 But I want this salad more – especially since the last week included overindulging in all the things the French do best. Beautiful, fresh deliciousness, Jean!