A quick little salad for the summer time that can be adjusted and altered however you like. This recipe serves two to three guests and is light and refreshing. I hope you enjoy it.
Ingredients:
Yogurt ¾ cups
Peaches, 2 each cut into wedges or however you wish
Place the coffee filter in and or over the cup or jar of your choice so that it is at least two inches away from the bottom. Scoop the yogurt into the filter and allow it to sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour to allow it to drain. The longer you let it sit, the thicker the yogurt will become. *Don’t throw out the liquid!! This can be used to thin the yogurt out if needed.
For the peaches, we will need to remove the pit. You can locate a groove that runs from the top to the bottom, you can make a cut following this groove and go all the way around the peach. Then hold a half in each hand, twist and then separate. If they do not, don't force it, you can cut roughly 1 cm from the left and right of the top as you would if removing the core from an apple. So you would end up with two large halves and then two smaller halves. Cut the two lager halves in three to four wedges and then cut the two smaller halves in half once again. Place on a plate and keep cool in the fridge until later.
Wash, drain and dry the mint and watercress with some paper towel on a tray or pan. Alternatively, you can line a salad spinner with a damp paper towel and spin the mint and watercress dry. For the mint, you will want just the leaves. If the leaves are big, you can just gently rip them into smaller pieces. Set aside.
Remove the leaves from roughly 5-6 sprigs of thyme and give it a rough chop. Set aside.
Ok, now to get everything ready. Remove the yogurt from the filter, there should be liquid in the bottom of the container, remember, do not throw this out. Place the yogurt in a small bowl and check the consistency, we would like something that is spreadable but not the consistency of peanut butter or mayo. If it is too thick, use the reserved drained liquid to thin it out. From here, add two pinches of salt and half the fresh thyme, whisk together to combine, set aside.
In another small bowl, combine the orange juice, remaining thyme and oil, and mix to combine. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, gently combine the mint and watercress and set aside.
Now we build. On the serving plate of your choice, spoon the yogurt onto the center of the plate and spread it out to the edges of the plate with the back of the spoon.
Arrange the peach slices however you like on the plate.
At this point, add 2 teaspoons or two small spoons of the orange juice mix to the mint and watercress and gently combine, and arrange the greens on the plate however you would like.
To finish, drizzle one tablespoon of the orange juice mix over the salad and serve.
Feel free to have fun with this recipe. You can make alterations as you see fit.
REMEMBER!!! A recipe is like a blueprint, you can always make alterations to how you see fit or to your particular taste or dietary needs.
Alternatively or Other Ideas:
You do not need to use yogurt if you do not feel like it or if you wish to make it lactose free.
Peaches, any type you like. Also, feel free to pickle the peaches, brulee them, or even place the halves on a cedar plank and place them on the bbq or directly on the fire to change the flavor profile, just let cool first. Or sprinkle directly with maple sugar and serve with icecream for a dessert if you wish. Also, you can add additional fruit such as strawberries, apples, and even watermelon to this recipe if you wish.
Oil, it can be omitted if you wish. Or substitute coconut oil.
Want to make it a more filling salad, add some smoked fish such as salmon, whitefish or pickerel. Or, some toasted almonds, walnuts, or even sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
What to do with leftover orange juice mix? Use it to marinade pork, chicken or even salmon.
